*John 7:32-53
Faced with arrest, Jesus announces his coming departure and offers living water to those who believe in him, creating further division among the people.
- Opposition from the Religious Leaders:
- The Pharisees and chief priests send officers to arrest Jesus, but they hesitate due to the powerful impact of Jesus’ words.
- Jesus addresses the crowd, hinting at his impending departure to a place where they cannot follow.
- Confusion among the People:
- On the last day of the feast, Jesus stands and cries out, inviting those who thirst to come to him and drink.
- He refers to the Holy Spirit, which believers would receive once he was glorified, sparking confusion and debate among the crowd.
- Divided Opinions about Jesus:
- Some in the crowd recognize Jesus as the Prophet or the Messiah, citing his miraculous signs and teachings.
- Others express doubt, questioning whether the Messiah could come from Galilee.
- The Pharisees’ Dismissal:
- The officers return to the chief priests and Pharisees without arresting Jesus, explaining that they were captivated by his words.
- The Pharisees deride the officers for being deceived and rebuke the crowd for their supposed ignorance of the law.
- Nicodemus Speaks Up:
- Nicodemus, a Pharisee and secret follower of Jesus, attempts to defend Jesus according to the law, prompting mockery from his colleagues.
- The Pharisees dismiss Nicodemus, asserting that no prophet arises from Galilee.
7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
7:35 Then 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? 7:36 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? 7:37 In 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.
7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
7:39 (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.) 7:40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
7:41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
7:44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
7:47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 7:48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
7:53 And every man went unto his own house.