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 Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren therefore said unto Him, "Depart hence and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For no man doeth anything in secret if he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world."

5 For neither did His brethren believe 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 Me it hateth, because I testify of it that the works thereof are evil.

8 Go ye up unto this feast. I go not up yet unto this feast, for My time is not yet fully come."

9 When He had said these words unto them, He remained still in Galilee.

10 But when His brethren had 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," and others said, "Nay, for he deceiveth the people."

13 Yet no man 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 marveled, saying, "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?"

16 Jesus answered them, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.

17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be from God, or whether I speak from Myself.

18 He 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.

19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?"

20 The people answered and said, "Thou hast a devil. Who goeth 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 receive circumcision on the Sabbath day, 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?

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

25 Then said some of them from Jerusalem, "Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

26 But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27 Yet we know from whence this man comes; but when Christ cometh, no man will know from whence He comes."

28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple as He taught, saying, "Ye both know Me, and ye know from whence I am. And I am 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 hath sent Me."

30 Then they sought to take Him; but no man laid hands on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

31 And many of the people believed in Him and said, "When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this man hath done?"

32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.

33 Then said Jesus unto them, "Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent Me.

34 Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, thither ye cannot come."

35 Then the Jews said 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?

36 What 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'?"

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.

38 He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

39 (But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, "In truth this is the Prophet."

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

42 Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh out 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 man laid hands on Him.

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

46 The officers answered, "Never did man speak like this man!"

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

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?

49 But this people, who knoweth not the law, are cursed."

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

51 "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doeth?"

52 They answered and said unto him, "Art thou also from Galilee? Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."

53 And every man 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.