*John 7:1-31
Jesus travels to Judea during the Feast of Tabernacles, where some people consider him a teacher while others plot against him.
- Jesus’ Dispute with His Brothers
- Jesus’ brothers encourage him to go to Judea and display his miracles publicly.
- Jesus declines, stating it’s not yet his time, implying his awareness of divine timing.
- His brothers, lacking understanding, depart for the feast without him.
- Jesus’ Quiet Departure
- Jesus decides to go to the feast in secret, avoiding public attention and controversy.
- There is much murmuring and speculation about his absence among the people at the feast.
- Jesus Teaches at the Temple
- Midway through the feast, Jesus begins to teach openly in the temple courts.
- His teaching astonishes the crowds due to its depth and authority.
- Jesus addresses the crowd, asserting that his teachings are not his own but come from God.
- He confronts skepticism and criticism, challenging the crowd to discern the truth of his message.
- Jesus performs miracles, stirring debate among the people regarding his identity as the Messiah.
- Division Among the Crowd
- Some among the crowd express belief in Jesus as the Christ, while others doubt, citing Galilea as his birthplace.
- The Pharisees and chief priests send officers to arrest Jesus, but they are unable to do so due to his powerful presence.
- Despite differing opinions, many in the crowd acknowledge Jesus’ extraordinary teachings and wonder about his identity.
7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
7:2 Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand.
7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
7:4 For 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.
7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
7:8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
7:9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
7:10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
7:11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 7:12 And 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.
7:13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
7:18 He 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.
7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 7:20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 7:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
7:22 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.
7:23 If 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? 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
7:25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 7:26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 7:27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
7:28 Then 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.
7:29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
7:30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?