John 10:24 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1) "Then came the Jews roundabout him," (ekuklosan oun auton hoi loudaioi) "Then the Jews surrounded him,'' in a demanding, intimidating, and threatening manner, demanding an immediate reply to their inquiry.

2) "And said unto him," (kai elegon auto) "And said directly to him," in a requiring manner.

3) ''How long cost thou make us to doubt?'' (heos pote ten psuchen hemon aireis) ''How long do you mean to hold our soul-life in uncertainty?" in suspense in doubt. They had already been given abundance of evidence through 1) Fulfilled prophecy about Him, 2) And miracles He had performed, and to overstate the case of His identity would only lead to their trying to force Him to be King-Messiah like they wanted while yet in their sins.

4) "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.'' (ei su ei ho Christos, eipon hemin parresia) "If you are (really) the Christ (the Messiah), tell it to us plainly," as if His works did not already show it, Joh 5:36. Tell us with open, clear utterance in a categorical manner. He had declared Himself to be the Light of the world, Joh 8:12; and the Liberating one, Joh 8:32; Joh 8:36. Since He had cleansed the temple at His first visit of His active ministry, Joh 2:13,25, would it not now be most appropriate at this re-sanctification of the temple to say it categorically, if He was the Christ? Joh 4:25-26; Luk 4:41; Mat 16:16; Joh 11:27.