The testimony of John the Baptist was true

John 10:31-42 (NIV)

³¹Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, ³²but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"

³³"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

³⁴Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'^[e]? ³⁵If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— ³⁶what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? ³⁷Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. ³⁸But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." ³⁹Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

⁴⁰Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed ⁴¹and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true." ⁴²And in that place many believed in Jesus.

10:31 猶太人又拿起石頭來要打他。10:32 耶穌對他們說：「我從父顯出許多善事給你們看，你們是為哪一件拿石頭打我呢？」10:33 猶太人回答說：「我們不是為善事拿石頭打你，是為你說僭妄的話；又為你是個人，反將自己當作　神。」10:34 耶穌說：「你們的律法上豈不是寫著『我曾說你們是神』嗎？10:35 經上的話是不能廢的；若那些承受　神道的人尚且稱為神，10:36 父所分別為聖、又差到世間來的，他自稱是　神的兒子，你們還向他說『你說僭妄的話』嗎？10:37我若不行我父的事，你們就不必信我；10:38 我若行了，你們縱然不信我，也當信這些事，叫你們又知道又明白父在我裏面，我也在父裏面。」10:39 他們又要拿他，他卻逃出他們的手走了。10:40 耶穌又往約旦河外去，到了約翰起初施洗的地方，就住在那裏。10:41 有許多人來到他那裏。他們說：「約翰一件神蹟沒有行過，但約翰指著這人所說的一切話都是真的。」10:42 在那裏，信耶穌的人就多了。

1. 中心內容：
   
   內容：
   1>由於主耶穌自稱是上帝，猶太人就拿石頭要打祂。（v31）

The Jews tried to stone Him because Jesus claimed to be God. (v31)
2>主耶穌質問他們，拿石頭要打祂的原因。（v32）

Jesus asked them why they wanted to stone Him. (v32)

3>猶太人解釋原因，即：主耶穌明明是人，卻自稱為上帝。（v33）

The Jews replied that He was a mere man, but claimed to be God. (v33)
4>主耶穌引用經上的話，證明祂「以上帝自稱」毫無問題。（v34-36）

Jesus used the Scripture to testify His unquestionable claim to be God. (v34-36)
5>主耶穌再次為自己的身份作辯解。（v37-38）

Once again, Jesus debated on His own identity. (v37-38)
6>猶太人企圖捉拿祂，主耶穌便離開聖殿，前往約旦河外，施洗約翰施洗之處。（v39-40）

The Jews intended to seize Him. Jesus left the temple and went to the River of Jordan where John the Baptist had been baptizing in the early days. (v39-40)
7>當地有許多人就信了主耶穌。（v41-42）
Many people believed Jesus there. (v41-42)
主題：
1>約翰的見證是真。The testimony of John the Baptist was true.
2>信耶穌的人又多了。Believers in Christ had increased in number.

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>被拒絕、遭迫害的耶穌基督。（v31）Jesus Christ was rejected and persecuted. (v31)
2>行「從父而來的善事」的耶穌基督。（v32、v37）Jesus Christ did the good that came from God the Father.(v32,37)
3>上帝所分別為聖的耶穌基督。（v36）Jesus Christ was set apart by God.( v36)
4>上帝差派到世上的耶穌基督。（v36）Jesus Christ was sent by God into the world. (v36)
5>上帝的兒子耶穌基督。（v36）Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (v36)
6>配得相信的耶穌基督。（v37-38、v42）Jesus Christ was worthy of belief. (v37-38, 42)
7>與父上帝原為一的耶穌基督。（v38） Jesus Christ and God are One. (v38)

2. 給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？
   
   1>稱人為神的典故 the reference of calling man “god”
   耶穌說：「你們的律法上豈不是寫著『我曾說你們是神』嗎？經上的話是不能廢的；若那些承受　神道的人尚且稱為神，父所分別為聖、又差到世間來的，他自稱是　神的兒子，你們還向他說『你說僭妄的話』嗎？（v34-36）

³⁴Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'^[e]? ³⁵If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— ³⁶what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? (v34-36)

主耶穌為了解釋「祂自稱為神」這件事毫無問題，便引用經上（律法）的記載。祂說：你們的律法上豈不是寫著『我曾說你們是神』嗎？一般人的疑問是：經上為何會出現「將人稱為神」的記載呢？到底出自哪段聖經？又發生在什麼狀況下？

In order to explain that it was unquestionable for Him to call Himself God, Jesus referred to what was written in the Law. He said, “Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods?” People ask, “Why did it say so? Where was it recorded in the Scripture? Under what circumstances has it been said?”
事實上，在舊約時代，那些受神揀選、委派，去擔任特別職務的人，都曾經以「神」稱呼之，因為他們都是神的代表，意即：他們就像神一樣。僅舉三段經文為例：
Actually, in the time of the Old Testament, whosoever was called, commissioned and delegated by God had been given the title of “god”. They represented God, meaning they were as God Himself. Here are three examples in the Scripture:
其一：上帝摩西的勸勉。First, God’s exhortation to Moses
當上帝的呼召臨到摩西之後，摩西便以百般的理由推辭。當摩西再以「沒有口才」作為理由推辭時，上帝便對摩西說：誰造人的口呢？誰使人口啞、耳聾、目明、眼瞎呢？豈不是我耶和華嗎？現在去吧！我必賜你口才，指教你所當說的話。（出4:11-12）

Moses had a lot of excuses to decline God’s calling. When he said that he was slow of speech and tongue, God replied, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? ¹² Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (see Exodus 4:11-12)
摩西接著說：「主啊，你願意打發誰，就打發誰去吧！」意思就是再度的推辭，耶和華便向摩西發怒說：「不是有你的哥哥利未人亞倫嗎？我知道他是能言的；現在他出來迎接你，他一見你，心裏就歡喜。又說：你要將當說的話傳給他；我也要賜你和他口才，又要指教你們所當行的事。
他要替你對百姓說話；你要以他當作口，他要以你當作　神。（v13-16）

Moses declined again.¹³ But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." ¹⁴ Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. ¹⁵ You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. ¹⁶ He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. (see v13-16)
其二：上帝摩西的命令。Secondly, God commanded Moses
經過一番折騰之後，上帝就直接對摩西下達命令說：「我使你在法老面前代替　神，你的哥哥亞倫是替你說話的。（出7:1）
After struggling with Moses for a while, God directly commanded him, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.” (see Exodus 7:1)

其三：對不義判官的警告。Thirdly, warning against unrighteous judges
背景一：出埃及記廿一章一至六節指出：猶太人的奴僕，在第七年可以自由。第六節說：他的主人，就要帶他到審判官那裏。希伯來文聖經中「審判官」一詞為elohim，就是「神」的意思。（詩篇82:6）

Background 1: Exodus 21:1-6 stated that a servant should go free in the seventh year. As it was mentioned in verse 6, the master should take his servant to a judge. (Translator’s note: Pastor Chen’s Chinese devotional says: “judge” in Hebrew is “Elohim” and it means God.) The Hebrew word Elohim used in the Old Testament context means God. Psalm 82:6 "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.'”
背景二：因此，在猶太人的觀念中，就有將「神委派的審判官，當作百姓的神」這種非常特別的觀念。也因此，詩篇八十二篇第六節，這首「警告不義的審判官，必須以公義對待貧苦和無辜者」的詩篇當中，才特別出現「我曾說：你們是神，都是至高者的兒子。」這樣的字眼。
Background 2: It was a particular notion of the Jews that judges were delegated by God and were “gods” to the people. As we read Psalm 82, it warns against unrighteous judges that they must judge the poor and the innocent fairly. This is the reason why verse 6 says of the judges, “I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.” Judges were “gods” in this context.
因此，主耶穌引用以上經文，來為祂「自稱為神的兒子」一事作辯護。主耶穌的意思說：如果連神都稱「祂所呼召的人」為神了，為什麼我自稱為神，就是褻瀆（侮辱）神呢？況且我原本就是父神的兒子，所以自稱為神是理所當然的，又有什麼不可以呢？
Thus, Jesus referred to this passage as an argument to stand for His claim to be God. Jesus was arguing that if God called the ones whom He had summoned “god”, then how could it be blasphemous of Him claiming to be God? Furthermore, I (Jesus) am the Son of God, and it is only natural for me (Jesus) to claim to be God, there is nothing wrong in it.
2>不能廢棄的真理 The truth that cannot be broken

經上的話是不能廢的。（v35a）the Scripture cannot be broken (see v35a)
主耶穌說：經上的話是不能廢的。從主耶穌這話當中，清楚的指出：聖經是上帝的話語，是上帝所啟示的，是永恆不變的真理。因此，是永遠不能被廢棄的。

Jesus said that the Scripture could not be broken. It clearly pointed out that the Scripture was the Word of God, was revealed by God and it was an everlasting truth. Therefore, it cannot be broken.
其一：上帝的默示。First, It is the revelation of God
聖經都是　神所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，叫屬　神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。（提摩太後書3:16-17）

¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3:16-17)
其二：永恆不廢棄。Secondly, it will never be broken
我實在告訴你們，就是到天地都廢去了，律法的一點一畫也不能廢去，都要成全。（馬太福音5:18）

¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.(Matthew 5:18)
反省：我如何看待聖經？是古書？是名著？或是：上帝所啟示，永恆不變的真理？
Reflection: What is the Bible to me? Is it an ancient book or a popular book? Or is it an everlasting truth revealed by God?
3>兩種不同的反應 Two different responses
猶太人又拿起石頭來要打他。（v31）他們又要拿他，他卻逃出他們的手走了。（v39）在那裏，信耶穌的人就多了。（v42）

³¹Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,(v31); ³⁹Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. (v39); ⁴²And in that place many believed in Jesus. (v42)
針對主耶穌的身份以及言行，在群眾當中非常明顯，有兩種截然不同的反應。

To Jesus’ identity and to His words and action, peoples’ responses were in stark contrast.

第一種：始終不肯相信，而且極力迫害主耶穌的猶太人。
他們不僅拿石頭想打祂，甚至企圖捉拿祂。

The first response came from the Jews who never believed would harshly persecute Jesus. They not only wanted to stone Him, they also intended to seize Him.
第二種：居住在約旦河外，就是施洗約翰起初施洗地方的人。
他們因為聽過施洗約翰為主耶穌所作的見證，後來經過親眼看見、親耳聽見主耶穌之後，印證施洗約翰所言為真實，便欣然相信耶穌了。

The second response came from those who lived adjacent to the River of Jordan where John the Baptist had been baptizing in the early days. Because they had heard the testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus, it was proved to be true to them after seeing and listening to Jesus for themselves. Therefore, they gladly believed in Jesus.
反省：要是將時空場景轉換到今天，我會是哪一種人？始終不肯相信？體會就欣然相信？
Reflection: If this were to happen today, in which category would I belong? Would I never believe? Would I gladly believe?
4>耶穌上帝原為一 Jesus and God are One
----叫你們又知道又明白父在我裏面，我也在父裏面。（v38b）

…that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father (v38b)
主 耶穌在本章三十節說過：我與父原為一。在三十八節又說：父在我裏面，我也在父裏面。主耶穌這些話足以表明「祂本身就是上帝」的身份。主耶穌與父上帝之間， 雖然擁有不同的位格（聖父位格、聖子位格），但是在本質上兩者卻是一體的。因此，耶穌基督暨是「三位一體」上帝的第二位，同時本身也是上帝。
In verse 30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” Again in verse 38, He said, “the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” Jesus’ words indicate that He is God. Though they are different Persons, Jesus (the Son) and God (the Father), in essence, they are one. Thus, Jesus not only is the second Person of the Trinity, but He is also God Himself.

反省：我對「三位一體」的教義、信仰有多少認識？用理智分析？或憑信心接受？
Reflection: How much do I know about the faith and the doctrine of the Trinity? Do I analyze it with reason? Or do I receive it by faith?
5>成為基督見證人 Become a witness of Christ
耶穌又往約旦河外去，到了約翰起初施洗的地方，就住在那裏。有許多人來到他那裏。他們說：「約翰一件神蹟沒有行過，但約翰指著這人所說的一切話都是真的。」在那裏，信耶穌的人就多了。（v40-42）

⁴⁰Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed ⁴¹and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true." ⁴²And in that place many believed in Jesus. (v40-42)
聽完主耶穌的說明之後，猶太人更加憤怒，又企圖再進一步捉拿祂，主耶穌卻逃出他們的手走了。就是往約旦河外去，到了約翰起初施洗的地方，就住在那裏。
當地人因為接觸過施洗約翰，聽過施洗約翰對主耶穌的見證，如今又親眼看見、親耳聽見主耶穌，證明施洗約翰為主耶穌所作的見證都是真實的。結果：在那裏，信耶穌的人就多了。由此可知，施洗約翰成為耶穌基督的見證人。

The Jews were exasperated after listening to Jesus’ explanation. Again they tried to seize Him, but Jesus escaped their grasp. He went to the River of Jordan where John the Baptist had been baptizing in the early days and He stayed there. The locals had known John the Baptist and they had heard of his testimony about Jesus. Moreover, they saw and listened to Jesus themselves; they testified that John’s testimony about Jesus was true. As a result, in that place many believed in Him. John the Baptist was a witness of Jesus Christ.
反省：施洗約翰成為耶穌基督的見證人，我是否也成為耶穌基督的見證人？
Reflection: Will I become a witness of Jesus Christ like John the Baptist?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用







Translated by 曾秀娟