Unfortunately, I don't have time to read all the great posts. If this has been covered I apologize. Jack was the only one who knew that he had changed John's shoes. Mrs. Hawking only told Jack that he had to give John something of Jack's fathers in order to emulate 815. When Ben killed Locke, I believe he thought he would never see John alive again. The shoes are like Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz, they are needed to get home. Me Tinks Ben is in for a BIG supprise when he wakes up and sees ol' John boy up and about!!!