You Don’t Believe Because You Are Not My Sheep (John 10:26)

Calvinists argue that the reason why some people do not believe in Jesus is because they are not one of the elect. In other words, God did not decree these people to believe. As Jesus said: “You do not believe, because you are not of My sheep” (John 10:26).

But is this really what this passage is teaching?

Consider the context: The Jews in Jesus’ day—particularly the scribes and Pharisees—claimed to be followers of the God of Abraham, Issaac, and Jacob. They claimed to be God’s people. But they really weren’t. As Jesus said to them:

“If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil” (John 8:42-44).

Elsewhere, Jesus said they were of the synagogue of Satan:

“I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9).

Despite claiming to be God’s people, many of the Jews of Jesus’ day were really not. They claimed to be, but they really weren’t. This is the context in which Jesus said, “You do not believe, because you are not of My sheep” (John 10:26). In other words, the reason you don’t believe me is because you are not a true follower of God. If you really were a follower of God, you would believe in me too because “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).

This is what Jesus meant in John 10:26. This passage has nothing to do with some prior election of God. God wants all people to come to him and be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 33:11).

By Alex Polyak, Answering Calvinism, 10/12/25