John 10:19 Meaning and Explanation
“There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →These sayings split Jesus' hearers once more into opposing camps.
What Does John 10:19 Mean?
John notes the immediate effect of the shepherd discourse: division, "again," as after earlier words in chapters 7 and 9. The same sentences that comfort the healed man scandalize his judges. Jerusalem cannot agree on what to make of him.
Jesus has this effect throughout the Gospels: he does not leave hearers where he found them. A claim as large as "I lay down my life, that I might take it again" cannot be filed away as merely interesting; it must be received or refused. The crowd's split is a mirror held up to every reader — neutrality about this Shepherd is the one response his words do not allow.
John 10:19 in the Original Language
schisma (σχίσμα), 'division' -- a split or tear, as in torn cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 10:19
What does John 10:19 mean?
These sayings split Jesus' hearers once more into opposing camps.