John 7

In John 7, Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem amid growing controversy surrounding His ministry. His brothers urge Him to show Himself publicly, but He initially declines, going later in secret. Throughout the chapter, Jesus teaches in the temple, causing division among the people. While some believe He could be the Messiah, others question His authority, leading to heated discussions. This chapter underscores the rising opposition against Jesus and the varied responses to His message.

John 7:1-10 (NKJV)
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.
4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”
9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Jesus’ brothers encourage Him to attend the Feast of Tabernacles and make a public display of His works, yet they themselves do not believe in Him. Jesus responds by emphasizing the difference in timing between His actions and theirs; His mission is driven by divine timing, while their lives are not governed by such constraints. The unbelief of His own brothers highlights the varied responses to Jesus, even among those closest to Him. He ultimately goes to the feast in secret, avoiding premature confrontation.

John 7:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?”
12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”
13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

The people are divided in their opinion of Jesus. Some view Him as a good man, while others accuse Him of leading people astray. Despite the discussion, there is a sense of fear and caution in openly speaking about Him due to the leaders’ hostile stance. This illustrates the tension and uncertainty surrounding Jesus’ ministry and the risk involved in expressing faith in Him.

John 7:14-18 (NKJV)
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”

When Jesus begins teaching in the temple, the Jews are amazed at His knowledge, given that He lacks formal education. Jesus attributes His teaching to God, not Himself, emphasizing that understanding His message requires a genuine desire to do God’s will. He distinguishes His purpose by seeking God’s glory, not personal acclaim, showing His commitment to truth and righteousness.

John 7:19-24 (NKJV)
19 “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”
21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Jesus confronts the people’s hypocrisy in accusing Him of breaking the Sabbath by healing. He points out that they perform circumcisions on the Sabbath to uphold the law, yet they condemn Him for a healing act that brings complete restoration. His call to “judge with righteous judgment” challenges them to move beyond superficial judgments and evaluate actions based on their true intent and outcomes.

John 7:25-31 (NKJV)
25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill?
26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?
27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.
29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.
31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

The people debate Jesus’ identity, acknowledging the signs He performs yet doubting due to preconceived ideas about the Messiah’s origins. Jesus confronts their assumptions, declaring His divine mission and connection to the Father, which provokes both belief and hostility. Despite attempts to seize Him, they are restrained by God’s timing, highlighting the divine control over Jesus’ mission.

John 7:32-36 (NKJV)
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.
33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.
34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”
35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?
36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

The leaders, disturbed by the people’s growing interest, attempt to arrest Jesus. He responds by hinting at His upcoming departure to the Father, which they fail to understand. This statement about their inability to follow Him reflects the spiritual divide between Jesus and His opponents.

John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

On the feast’s final day, Jesus invites anyone who is spiritually thirsty to come to Him, promising that believers will receive the Holy Spirit. This invitation to drink living water signifies the life and sustenance found in Him, which would soon be made fully available through the Holy Spirit.

John 7:40-53 (NKJV)
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them,
51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
53 And everyone went to his own house.

Jesus’ words provoke division, with some acknowledging Him as the Messiah while others doubt based on His Galilean origin. The officers, sent to arrest Him, are moved by His teachings and return empty-handed, which frustrates the Pharisees. Nicodemus, attempting to defend a fair hearing for Jesus, is dismissed. This passage highlights both the openness and the prejudice that surround Jesus, reflecting the varied reactions to His teachings and authority.