John 10:28

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

And I {G2504} give {G1325} unto them {G846} eternal {G166} life {G2222}; and {G2532} they shall {G622} never {G3364}{G1519}{G165} perish {G622}, neither {G2532}{G3756} shall {G726} any {G5100} man pluck {G726} them {G846} out of {G1537} my {G3450} hand {G5495}.

and I give them eternal life. They will absolutely never be destroyed, and no one will snatch them from my hands.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:28 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the security and assurance of believers in Jesus Christ. In this powerful declaration, Jesus underscores His divine authority and commitment to those who follow Him, promising both eternal life and absolute protection.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' discourse in John chapter 10, where He presents Himself as the Good Shepherd. He contrasts His care for His sheep with the actions of thieves, robbers, and hirelings. The "sheep" represent those who hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). Jesus is speaking to a group of Jews in the temple, who were questioning His identity and works, leading to a profound statement about the relationship between Him and His true followers.

Key Themes

  • The Gift of Eternal Life: Jesus explicitly states, "I give unto them eternal life." This highlights that salvation is a gift, not earned by human merit, and it is a present possession for those who believe, not just a future hope. This eternal life is a participation in God's own life, beginning at the moment of faith.
  • Absolute Security and Preservation: The phrases "they shall never perish" and "neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand" emphasize the unwavering security of the believer. Once given eternal life by Jesus, it is an irreversible state. The Greek word for "perish" (apollumi) here signifies not annihilation, but a state of ruin or eternal separation from God's presence. Jesus assures that His sheep will not suffer this ultimate spiritual death or loss.
  • Jesus' Sovereign Power and Authority: The imagery of being held "in my hand" conveys Jesus' complete control, power, and protective care. It signifies that no external force, whether human opposition, demonic influence, or even personal failure, can snatch a true believer from His divine grip. This promise is further solidified by Jesus' subsequent statement that the Father's hand also holds them, and He and the Father are one (John 10:29).

Linguistic Insights

  • The term for "eternal life" is zoe aionios in Greek. It refers not merely to unending existence, but to a quality of life—God's own life—which is full, abundant, and transcends earthly limitations.
  • The word "perish" (apollumi) does not mean to cease to exist, but rather to be lost, ruined, or condemned to eternal separation from God. Jesus' promise ensures believers will not face this spiritual destruction.
  • "Pluck" comes from the Greek word harpazo, which means to snatch away by force, to seize, or to carry off. This strong verb underscores the impossibility of any external power overpowering Jesus' protective hand.

Cross-References & Connections

The theme of eternal life and divine security is woven throughout Scripture:

  • John 3:16 famously states that whoever believes in Him "should not perish, but have everlasting life."
  • John 5:24 reiterates that those who hear Jesus' word and believe in God "hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
  • Paul's powerful declaration in Romans 8:38-39 echoes this security, affirming that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
  • The concept of God's keeping power is also seen in Philippians 1:6, where Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in believers, "will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Practical Application

John 10:28 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. It provides a foundation for confidence in salvation, reminding us that our eternal destiny is secure in the hands of Jesus. This verse encourages us to:

  • Rest in God's Sovereignty: Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to hold onto God, but on His power to hold onto us.
  • Overcome Fear and Doubt: The promise of never perishing and being unpluckable from Jesus' hand directly addresses anxieties about losing salvation or facing ultimate spiritual ruin.
  • Live with Confidence: Knowing we are eternally secure empowers us to live boldly for Christ, trusting in His unwavering love and protection, even amidst life's challenges and spiritual battles.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 6:39

    And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

  • John 6:40

    And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

  • John 6:37

    All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

  • John 3:15

    That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  • Hebrews 7:25

    Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

  • Romans 8:29

    ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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