18. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.”
19. Another sharp division took place among the Jewish people because of these words.
20. Many of them were saying, “He is possessed by a demon and has lost his mind! Why do you listen to him?”
21. Others said, “These are not the words of someone possessed by a demon. A demon cannot cause the blind to see, can it?”
22. Then came the feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem.
23. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Portico.
24. The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25. Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father’s name testify about me.
26. But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep.