John 10:22

ἐγένετο δὲ τ. ἐγκ. This is the reading of א A D X and the bulk of MSS., with the Syriac and some old Latin texts: the best Latin texts have neither τότε nor δέ: the Memphitic gives both τότε and δέ. It is possible that -το δε produced τοτε. Now there took place at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication: see on John 2:13. The mention of a feast of so modern and local an origin and of ‘Solomon’s Porch’ indicate a Jewish writer familiar with Jerusalem. The vivid description (χειμών, περεπάτει, ἐκύκλωσαν, &c) and the firm grasp of the strained situation indicate an eyewitness. The Feast of Dedication might be celebrated anywhere, and the pointed insertion of ‘at Jerusalem’ seems to suggest that in the interval between John 10:21 and John 10:22 Christ had been away from the city. It was kept in honour of the purification and restoration of the Temple (B.C. 164) after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes; 1Ma 1:20-60; 1Ma 4:36-59 (note esp. 1Ma 4:36 and 1Ma 4:59); 2Ma 10:1-8. Another name for it was ‘the Lights,’ or ‘Feast of Lights,’ from the illuminations with which it was celebrated. Christian dedication festivals are its lineal descendants.

χειμὼν ἧν. For the asyndeton (the καί of T. R. is not genuine) comp. ὥρα ἦν ὡς ἕκτη (John 4:6; John 19:14). Perhaps χειμὼν ἦν to be connected with what follows rather than with what precedes: It was winter, and Jesus was walking, &c. Certainly the words explain why He was teaching under cover, and are not a mere note of time. We are in doubt whether they refer to the winter season (2 Timothy 4:21), or to the stormy weather (Matthew 16:3; Acts 27:20). The latter seems preferable. (1) The Feast of Dedication always began Kisleu 25th, i.e. late in December, so that there was no need to add ‘it was winter,’ although S. John might naturally state the fact for Gentile readers. (2) ἧν δὲ νύξ (John 13:30) is almost certainly added to symbolize the moral darkness into which the traitor went out. Perhaps here also χειμὼν ἧν is added as symbolical of the storm of doubt, passion and hostility in the midst of which Christ was teaching. see on John 18:1.