In the passage from the Book of Wisdom, we see a portrayal of the just man who is opposed to the ungodly. He puts his trust completely in God, and thus is a reproach to others. They therefore mock him, and persecute him and put him to death. This is an accurate account, almost a prophecy, of what was to happen to Jesus Christ in the century after this pasage was written. The Book of Wisdom goes on to say that the unjust do not realise that "holiness will be rewarded... God did make man imperishable." (vv.22 - 23).

Similarly, in John's Gospel, John begins by saying "It was winter" (Jn.10:22), alluding not just to the time of year but also to the cold disbelief of those who refuse to be "the sheep that belong to me" (v.27). The passage deals with the identity of Jesus as the Son of God which the ruling Jews are questioning. They are quite incredulous which leads to Jesus' rebuke. He reminds them of His good works which should have shown them who He was, but they cannot listen to His voice because they are "of this world" and not "of God." It is not because He is not their shepherd, but because they are not His sheep.

Jesus tells them that God has given Him the gift of eternal life for His flock, and because He and God are one, no one can take away this gift from those of His flock who believe in Him.