I and the Father Are One: What Does John 10:30 Mean?

John 10:30 reads, “I and my Father are one.” King James Version (KJV)

TranslationJohn 10:30
ESVI and the Father are one.
NASB“I and the Father are one.”
NIVI and the Father are one.
NLTThe Father and I are one.

Also see, what does Leave Your Gift at the Altar mean? to learn more.

I and the Father Are One: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

10:22-30 All who have any thing to say to Christ, may find him in the temple. Christ would make us to believe; we make ourselves doubt. The Jews understood his meaning, but could not form his words into a full charge against him.

He described the gracious disposition and happy state of his sheep; they heard and believed his word, followed him as his faithful disciples, and none of them should perish; for the Son and the Father were one.

Thus he was able to defend his sheep against all their enemies, which proves that he claimed Divine power and perfection equally with the Father.

Also see, what does There Is A Way That Seems Right to Man mean? to learn more.

John 10:30 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

30. I and my Father are one—Our language admits not of the precision of the original in this great saying. “Are” is in the masculine gender—”we (two persons) are”; while “one” is neuter—”one thing.” Perhaps “one interest” expresses, as nearly as may be, the purport of the saying.

There seemed to be some contradiction between His saying they had been given by His Father into His own hands, out of which they could not be plucked, and then saying that none could pluck them out of His Father’s hands, as if they had not been given out of them.

“Neither have they,” says He; “though He has given them to Me, they are as much in His own almighty hands as ever—they cannot be, and when given to Me they are not, given away from Himself; for He and I HAVE ALL IN COMMON.”

Thus it will be seen, that, though oneness of essence is not the precise thing here affirmed, that truth is the basis of what is affirmed, without which it would not be true.

And Augustine was right in saying the “We are” condemns the Sabellians (who denied the distinction of Persons in the Godhead), while the “one” (as explained) condemns the Arians (who denied the unity of their essence).

Also see, what does I am the Resurrection and the Life mean? to learn more.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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