John
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John 7
John 7
1And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.
1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.
4For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world.
5For even his brethren did not believe on him.
3His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Those of Jesus' brethren (kinsman), who did not believe on Him, encouraged Him to go to the feast and make Himself more publicly known. Basically, they told Jesus that if He really was the Messiah, He ought to let the religious leaders and city dwellers know.
6Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.
7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil.
8Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.
6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
Commentary · verses 6-8
Remember, the religious leaders in Jerusalem were seeking to kill Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus said His time had not yet come to enter into Jerusalem with a big display.
9And having said these things unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
9When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Commentary · verses 9-10
However, Jesus went to the feast secretly. Jesus needed to find a way to take His public ministry into Jerusalem without the religious leaders killing Him.
11The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.
13Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
11Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Commentary · verses 11-13
Remember, the feast was eight days long. Jesus intentionally stayed hidden for some days in order for the people to speculate about Him. This created tension, set the context for what He wanted to do, and actually made Him more famous.
14But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
14Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
Commentary · verse 14
In the middle of the feast (probably the fourth day out of eight days) Jesus went to the temple and taught. Jesus provided a release from the tension, people were anxious to hear Him.
15The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Commentary · verse 15
The Jews marveled at what Jesus knew and wondered how He knew the letters (Old Testament writings) without ever learning. The Jews there must have thought Jesus was not formally schooled by a Rabbi as were other Rabbis. There was no record of the name of the Rabbi Jesus studied under. We do know that everyone, even people who were enemies of Jesus, recognized Jesus as a Rabbi. This may be the only fact about Jesus on which everyone agreed.
16Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.
16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Commentary · verse 16
Doctrine: Jesus stated that His Doctrine was not of Himself but was God's Doctrine. Jesus gave credit to God as His Rabbi.
17If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.
17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Commentary · verse 17
Doctrine: Those who DO the Will of God will have the ability to discern whether or not a teaching is from God or man. Doing is the HOW. Discerning is the WHY. The proof that a Doctrine (WHAT) is of God is that it has a right HOW/WHY.
18He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Commentary · verse 18
Doctrine: A person who speaks from (and about) himself, seeks his own glory, and has unrighteousness (pride) in himself. Jesus did not directly state He was the Son of God, and prophets did not directly state to other people that they were prophets, because this would have been seeking their own glory and proved they were in pride.
19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me?
20The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?
19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
Commentary · verses 19-20
Jesus showed these people they were sinners (they could not keep the Law) and hypocrites (were condemning Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath). However, notice Jesus said this with two questions. The multitude responded with a question. Jesus had the attention of the multitude.
21Jesus answered and said unto them, I did one work, and ye all marvel because thereof.
21Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
Commentary · verse 21
Jesus blatantly brought up the Pharisees seeking to kill Him for healing the man on the Sabbath.
22Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man.
23If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?
22Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
Commentary · verses 22-23
Jesus showed that His healing of the man on the Sabbath (John 5:16) was less work than what the priests do when they circumcise on the Sabbath, yet the religious leaders do not persecute themselves. Why? Because they kept the Law according to circumcision. Remember, a person could do whatever they wanted for six days as long as it did not violate the Law. However, on the Sabbath, the person could only do what the Law told him to do. The Law said to do good and make people whole. Jesus was keeping the Law, but the religious leaders did not understand God's Doctrine and the result was the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus.
24Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Commentary · verse 24
Doctrine: Do not judge by effects (the WHAT), judge by causes (the WHY). The appearance is an effect. It is a WHAT. Whether the action is a sin or not does not depend on the action itself, it depends on the reason (WHY) for the action. Jesus' reason for healing the man on the Sabbath was right. The religious leaders did not want to take the time to understand the reason WHY. They wanted to stop at the WHAT, the appearance.
25Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?
26And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?
25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
Commentary · verses 25-26
This exchange resulting from the context Jesus created caused the religious leaders not to answer (because every answer they could have given would have proved they were wrong). The religious leaders remaining silent caused the multitude to consider Jesus was the Messiah.
27Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
27Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
Commentary · verse 27
The people were taught from Isaiah 53:8 that the Messiah would hide Himself after He was born and once He appeared, no one would know where He came from.
28Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me.
28Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Commentary · verses 28-29
Jesus' response was to state that since they knew where He had come from they ought to realize He did not come of Himself and that the people did not know Who had sent Him.
30They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?
32The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
32The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Commentary · verses 30-32
The Pharisees became even more threatened by Jesus.
33Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.
34Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come.
33Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
34Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Commentary · verses 33-34
Jesus foretold His death and ascension.
35The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?
35Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
Commentary · verses 35-36
The Jews did not understand Jesus' words.
37Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Commentary · verse 37
On the eighth day of Tabernacles, the priests put water in the wine that they poured (sacrificed) on the altar. This day celebrated the entrance into the Promised Land. Jesus took this context and showed the water and wine represented Him and the Holy Spirit. He would be sacrificed for us so that we could have the Holy Spirit within us so that we could enter into the eternal Promised Land.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
39But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Commentary · verses 38-39
Doctrine: The living water was grace. The word grace meant "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life." The Holy Spirit will be received by those who believe Jesus. The Holy Spirit would not be given until Jesus was glorified.
40Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?
42Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
Commentary · verses 40-42
This public event caused many to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. However, some in the multitude referenced Micah 5:2 and doubted.
43So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
46The officers answered, Never man so spake.
47The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
48Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
43So there was a division among the people because of him.
44And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
Commentary · verses 43-48
Jesus' public proclamation was so powerful, not only did the officers testify as to its uniqueness, the Pharisees were concerned the officers, rulers, and other Pharisees may have been convinced to believe Jesus was the Messiah!
49But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed.
49But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Commentary · verse 49
The Pharisees were in pride. They believed they knew the Law and they believed the multitude did not know the Law.
50Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them), 51Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?
50Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
Commentary · verses 50-51
Nicodemus defended Jesus' right to be heard before being condemned.
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53[And they went every man unto his own house:
53And every man went unto his own house.
Commentary · verse 53
This verse was half of the sentence. The rest of the sentence was John 8:1...
The feast of Tabernacles was the last of the Seven Feasts of God listed in Leviticus 23. Passover was the first feast and it occurred during the first month of the Jewish religious year, in our spring. Tabernacles was the seventh (last) feast and occurred six months after Passover. Passover commemorated Israel's freedom from slavery. Tabernacles was an eight day feast commemorating Israel's time in the desert ending with Israel's entrance into the Promised Land. The priests poured water on the altar and lit lamps as a remembrance for God giving them water out of the rock in Horeb and leading them at night by a pillar of fire. Jesus spent a year and a half of His public ministry in Galilee, away from the religious leaders and Jerusalem.