Can You Jump Out? (John 10:28-29)

Question

Most of our pastors say a believer can jump out of God’s hand, based on John 10:28. How can I refute such a claim?

Answer

I’m sorry to say your pastors are wrong (or, actually, I’m happy to say they’re wrong):

1.) John 10:28-29 does not say anyone can jump out of the Father and Jesus’ hands. That is not taken from the words or the context of those verses.

2.) John 10:28-29 says “no one is able” to snatch them out, which would include the believer himself.

3.) John 10:28-29 says the Father is greater than all, including the believer.

4.) John 10:28-29 promises that believers “shall never perish.” If you could lose salvation by “jumping out” or by any other way, you could perish, and Jesus’s promise would be false.

5.) John 10:28-29 promises that believers have “eternal” life. If you could lose it, it wouldn’t be eternal.

Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

RECENTLY ADDED

March 19, 2026

Sealed with the Spirit: Another Look (2 Cor 1:22)

Throughout my Christian life, I have heard the phrase “sealed by the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit is the believer’s guarantee. Based upon Eph 1:13-14, many say...

March 19, 2026

How Many Verses in John’s Gospel Are Evangelistic?

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates will answer a question about the Gospel of John. How many of...

March 18, 2026

What Is “the Day of Judgment” in 1 John 4:17? (1 John 4:17-19)

One reason actors are attractive has nothing to do with their looks. The main thing that draws us to actors is their self-confidence. They are...

GRACE IN FOCUS RADIO

GRACE IN FOCUS MAGAZINE

Grace in Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society’s funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.