The Feast of Dedication was an occasion for rejoicing and merriment, commemorating the restoration of the Temple after the exile to Babylon in 515 BC. It was the Maccabees who rebuilt it in 165 BC. The feast was held in early December, a season of cold and rain, since Jerusalem lies at the altitude of 750 meters.
On this occasion, Jesus, the persecuted, came again to the temple, preaching in Salomon’s porch, where those visiting the temple would listen to him. This eastern porch is mentioned again in Acts 3:11 and 5:12.
At this point, the Jews prepared to attack Jesus. They demanded that he publicly announced whether he was the expected Messiah or not. What he had proclaimed about himself was loftier and more wide-ranging than people expected from their Messiah. Those added qualities over and above what they were looking for was a cause of stumbling. But some believed that Jesus might well be the true Messiah, because his person, authority and works proved impressive.
Thus, they tried to coerce Christ to sound a stirring call for a Christian national movement. After all, the feast was a memorial of the Maccabean uprising. They hoped he would officially demand his right to be king of the land, calling his people to arms. They were ready to follow him to war and cast away the shame of imperial rule from them. Jesus had other plans: humility, love and the change of minds. He did not say to the Jews that he was the Messiah, whereas he did so to the Samaritan woman. He also confessed to the man born blind regarding his divine glory. The Jews wanted a Messiah who was political and reckless; Jesus was a spiritual redeemer, and compassionate. The people dreamt of authority, freedom and honor. Jesus came urging self-denial, penitence and renewal. He announced his greatness, but they did not grasp this, for they demanded something he was not. Minds did not meet, and faith was not forthcoming in their hearts. They did not open their hearts to Jesus’ Spirit. His wonders were done in the name of his Father, who upheld him and led him victorious.
The Jews were loth to hear about the bond between the Son and his Father as the foundation for their state. They demanded violence, money and aggrandizement, right up to this day.