King James Version

What Does John 10:22 Mean?

John 10:22 in the King James Version says “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” — study this verse from John chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.”

John 10:22 · KJV

Context

20

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

22

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

24

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. make: or, hold us in suspense

Read John 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter—John provides temporal and geographical context. The "feast of the dedication" is Hanukkah (ἐγκαίνια/enkainia), the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the temple in 164 BC after Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated it. The Maccabees cleansed the temple, and miraculously, one day's worth of consecrated oil burned for eight days.

The mention of "winter" (χειμὼν/cheimōn) is both chronological (Hanukkah falls in December) and possibly symbolic—spiritual coldness among the religious leaders who should have recognized their Messiah. While they celebrated the temple's past rededication, they rejected the living Temple standing among them (John 2:19-21).

Hanukkah celebrated Jewish resistance to pagan oppression and the restoration of proper worship. The irony: those celebrating deliverance from a tyrant who claimed to be God's representative (Antiochus called himself "Epiphanes"—God manifest) were rejecting the true God manifest in flesh. They honored the past while missing the present fulfillment. The festival of light was occurring while they rejected the Light of the World (John 8:12).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hanukkah was not commanded in the Torah but became a beloved festival celebrating God's faithfulness during the Maccabean revolt. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) attempted to Hellenize Judea by force, desecrating the temple, banning Torah study, and sacrificing pigs on the altar. Judas Maccabeus led a successful rebellion, recaptured Jerusalem, and rededicated the temple on Kislev 25 (roughly December).

Jesus attending Hanukkah shows He honored Jewish tradition even when not Mosaic law. The feast's themes—true vs. false worship, the temple as God's dwelling, resistance to false authority claiming divine prerogatives—directly parallel Jesus's conflict with the religious establishment. Just as the Maccabees opposed a tyrant who usurped God's place, Jesus opposed religious leaders who blocked people's access to God.

The "winter" setting may suggest this occurs roughly three months before Passover and Jesus's crucifixion (John's narrative moves from Hanukkah in chapter 10 to Passover in chapters 11-12). The Jewish leaders' hostility is escalating toward its climax.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does celebrating God's past faithfulness while rejecting His present work reveal spiritual blindness?
  2. In what ways might Christians honor religious tradition while missing Christ's current work among them?
  3. What does Jesus's attendance at Hanukkah (a non-Mosaic feast) teach about His relationship to Jewish culture and tradition?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 10

“it was”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 10

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

τὰ3 of 10
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐγκαίνια4 of 10

“the feast of the dedication”

G1456

innovatives, i.e., (specially) renewal (of religious services after the antiochian interruption)

ἐν5 of 10

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς6 of 10
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἱεροσολύμοις7 of 10

“Jerusalem”

G2414

hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine

καὶ8 of 10

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

χειμὼν9 of 10

“winter”

G5494

akin to the base of 5490 through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain); by implication, the rainy season, i.e., winter

ἦν10 of 10

“it was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 10:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in John 10 →

Test Your Knowledge

John 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJohn Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read John 10 with CommentaryAll John ChaptersComplete John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes