Meaning, commentary and cross references
John 10:28
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
NIV · New International Version
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
WEB · World English Bible
I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
What does John 10:28 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life,.... Christ gives eternal life to his sheep, or people now; he gives them a spiritual life, or a life of grace, which issues in eternal life; he gives them himself, who is the true God and eternal life, and whoever has him has life; he gives them the knowledge of himself, which is life eternal; and he gives them his righteousness, which is their justification of life, or what entitles them to eternal life; and he gives them the foretastes of it, in faith and hope, in the enjoyment of himself, and the discoveries of his love; he gives them the earnest and pledge of it, his own Spirit; and they have this life in him as their representative, and it is hid with…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on John 10:22–38
Secondly, He has provided a happiness for them, suited to them: I give unto them eternal life, Joh 10:28. 1. The estate settled upon them is rich and valuable; it is life, eternal life. Man has a living soul; therefore the happiness provided is life, suited to his nature. Man has an immortal soul: therefore the happiness provided is eternal life, running parallel with his duration.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on John 10:19–30
28. And they shall never perish. It is an inestimable fruit of faith, that Christ bids us be convinced of our security when we are brought by faith into his fold. But we must also observe on what foundation this certainty rests.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: John 10:25–31 (WEB)
25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. 26But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.” 31Therefore the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Cross references
- John 6:39–40
This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.
- John 6:37
All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.
- John 3:15–16
that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
- John 18:9
that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
- Romans 8:29
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
- Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says the LORD.
- Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.