Commentary
They
Follow Me
The
background of this passage lends significant insights to its
understanding. Jesus speaks these words while he is in the Temple
area during the celebration of the feast of Dedication.
This
feast celebrates the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC, after the
victories of the Jewish revolution led by Judas Maccabeus against
gentile forces who had desecrated the Temple (1 Maccabees, Chapter 4). [1]
Prior
to the Maccabean revolution, the Jews lost their nation because some
of their leaders had abandoned God's ways and followed the gentile
rulers.
Many
Jews who were faithful to God were killed by gentile forces.
This
background can help Jesus' listeners then and us today appreciate
Jesus' words, “My sheep hear my voice. I
know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they
shall never perish.”
--------------------------
[1] Francis
J. Moloney, SDB., The
Gospel of John,
Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1988; p.
313.
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