John 10:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The scene shifts to the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, in winter.
What Does John 10:22 Mean?
John marks time and place. The Feast of Dedication — kept in December, about two months after the autumn feast of chapters 7-9 — celebrated the cleansing and rededication of the temple after its desecration in the days of the Maccabees, nearly two centuries earlier. Lamps were lit across the city; it was the feast of worship restored.
At a festival remembering a rescued and rededicated temple, the true Temple walks its courts (John 2:19-21). The brief note "it was winter" sets the chill of the season and of the scene: hearts in Jerusalem are hardening toward him. Yet he comes to the feast still — the Shepherd persistently near his people, even those gathering stones.
John 10:22 in the Original Language
enkainia (ἐγκαίνια), 'dedication' -- renewal; the winter feast remembering the temple's rededication.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 10:22
What does John 10:22 mean?
The scene shifts to the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, in winter.