John 7

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judea because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Now the feast of the Jews, of the tabernacles, was at hand.

3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart from this place and go into Judea that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For no one who seeks to be clearly known does anything in secret. If thou doest these things, show thyself to the world.

5 For not even his brethren believed in him.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is 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 Go ye up unto this feast; I go not up yet unto this feast, for my time is not yet fulfilled.

9 And having said these things unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then he also went up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast and said, Where is he?

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him, for some said, He is a good man; others said, No, but he deceives the people.

13 But no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How does this man know letters, having never learned?

16 Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

17 If anyone desires to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is of God or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory, but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do ye go about to kill me?

20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a demon; who goes about to kill thee?

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23 If a man on the sabbath day receives circumcision without the law of Moses being broken, are ye angry at me because I have made a man entirely whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

25 Then one of those of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

26 But, behold, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Have the rulers truly understood that this is indeed the Christ?

27 But we know where this man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one shall know where he is from.

28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye know me, and ye know from where I come, but I have not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him, for I am from him, and he has sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him, but no one laid hands on him because his hour was 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?

32 The Pharisees heard the people that murmured such things concerning him, and the princes of the priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.

33 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while I shall be with you, and then I shall go unto him that sent me.

34 Ye shall seek me and shall not find me, and where I shall be, ye shall not be able to come.

35 Then the Jews said among themselves, Where will he go that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me and shall not find me, and where I shall be ye shall not be able to come?

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If any man thirsts, let him come unto me and drink.

38 He that believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this he spoke concerning the Spirit, which those that believe on him should receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

40 Then many of the people, when they heard this word, said, Truly this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall the Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Has not the scripture said, That the Christ comes of the seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 Then the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees came, and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never has anyone spoken like this man.

47 Then the Pharisees answered them, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the princes or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who do not know the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus said unto them (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them),

51 Does our law judge any man before it hears him and knows what he does?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and see, for a prophet has never arisen out of Galilee.

53 And each one went unto his own house.

John 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

Christ goes to the feast of tabernacles. (1-13) His discourse at the feast. (14-39) The people dispute concerning Christ. (40-53)

Verses 1-13 The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them.

Verses 14-24 Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.

Verses 25-30 Christ proclaimed aloud, that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent of God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew not God, with his claim to peculiar knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him, but God can tie men's hands, though he does not turn their hearts.

Verses 31-36 The discourses of Jesus convinced many that he was the Messiah; but they had not courage to own it. It is comfort to those who are in the world, but not of it, and therefore are hated by it and weary of it, that they shall not be in it always, that they shall not be in it long. Our days being evil, it is well they are few. The days of life and of grace do not last long; and sinners, when in misery, will be glad of the help they now despise. Men dispute about such sayings, but the event will explain them.

Verses 37-39 On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, the Jews drew water and poured it out before the Lord. It is supposed that Christ alluded to this. If any man desires to be truly and for ever happy, let him apply to Christ, and be ruled by him. This thirst means strong desires after spiritual blessings, which nothing else can satisfy; so the sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit, were intended by the waters which Jesus called on them to come to Him and drink. The comfort flows plentifully and constantly as a river; strong as a stream to bear down the opposition of doubts and fears. There is a fulness in Christ, of grace for grace. The Spirit dwelling and working in believers, is as a fountain of living, running water, out of which plentiful streams flow, cooling and cleansing as water. The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit we do not expect, but for his more common and more valuable influences we may apply. These streams have flowed from our glorified Redeemer, down to this age, and to the remote corners of the earth. May we be anxious to make them known to others.

Verses 40-53 The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily lose their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swayed by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses things which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies.