John 7

Jesus Teaches at the Feast

1 After these things Jesus ¹was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling * to walk in Judea because ²the Jews ³were seeking to kill Him.

2 Now the feast of the Jews, ⁴the Feast of Booths, was near.

3 Therefore His ⁵brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your ⁶disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.

4 "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world."

5 For not even His ⁷brothers were believing in Him.

6 So Jesus said to them, "⁸My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.

7 "⁹The world cannot * hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that ¹⁰its deeds are evil.

8 "Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because ¹¹My time has not yet fully come."

9 Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.

10 But when His ¹²brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret.

11 ¹³So the Jews ¹⁴were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, "Where is He?"

12 There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; ¹⁵some were saying, "He is a good man "; others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray."

13 Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for ¹⁶fear of the Jews.

14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to ¹⁷teach.

15 ¹⁸The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man ¹⁹become learned, having never been educated?"

16 So Jesus answered them and said, "²⁰My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

17 "²¹If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

18 "He who speaks from himself ²²seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

19 "²³Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why do you ²⁴seek to kill Me?"

20 The crowd answered, "²⁵You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You?"

21 Jesus answered them, "I did ²⁶one deed, and you all marvel.

22 "For this reason ²⁷Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from ²⁸the fathers ), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man.

23 "²⁹If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?

24 "Do not ³⁰judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

25 So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, "Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill?

26 "Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. ³¹The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they?

27 "However, ³²we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from."

28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, ³³teaching and saying, "³⁴You both know Me and know where I am from; and ³⁵I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.

29 "³⁶I know Him, because ³⁷I am from Him, and ³⁸He sent Me."

30 So they ³⁹were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His ⁴⁰hour had not yet come.

31 But ⁴¹many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, "⁴²When the Christ comes, He will not perform more ⁴³signs than those which this man has, will He?"

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent ⁴⁴officers to ⁴⁵seize Him.

33 Therefore Jesus said, "⁴⁶For a little while longer I am with you, then ⁴⁷I go to Him who sent Me.

34 "⁴⁸You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot * come."

35 ⁴⁹The Jews then said to one another, "⁵⁰Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to ⁵¹the Dispersion among ⁵²the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He?

36 "What is this statement that He said, '⁵³You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot * come '?"

37 Now on ⁵⁴the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "⁵⁵If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.

38 "He who believes in Me, ⁵⁶as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of ⁵⁷living water.' "

39 But this He spoke ⁵⁸of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for ⁵⁹the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet ⁶⁰glorified.

Division of People over Jesus

40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, "This certainly is ⁶¹the Prophet."

41 Others were saying, "This is the Christ." Still others were saying, "⁶²Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?

42 "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from ⁶³the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"

43 So ⁶⁴a division occurred in the crowd because of Him.

44 ⁶⁵Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 The ⁶⁶officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why * did you not bring Him?"

46 The ⁶⁷officers answered, "⁶⁸Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks."

47 The Pharisees then answered them, "⁶⁹You have not also been led astray, have you?

48 "⁷⁰No one of ⁷¹the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?

49 "But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed."

50 ⁷²Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them,

51 "⁷³Our Law does not judge a man unless * it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?"

52 They answered him, "⁷⁴You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee."

53 [Everyone went to his home.

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.

Cross References

• 1. John 4:3; John 6:1; John 11:54
• 2. John 1:19; John 7:11, 13, 15, 35
• 3. John 5:18; John 7:19; John 8:37, 40; John 11:53
• 4. Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13, 16; Zechariah 14:16-19
• 5. Matthew 12:46; Mark 3:21; John 7:5, 10
• 6. John 6:60
• 7. Matthew 12:46; Mark 3:21; John 7:3, 10
• 8. Matthew 26:18; John 2:4; John 7:8, 30
• 9. John 15:18
• 10. John 3:19
• 11. John 7:6
• 12. Matthew 12:46; Mark 3:21; John 7:3, 5
• 13. John 7:13, 15, 35
• 14. John 11:56
• 15. John 7:40-43
• 16. John 9:22; John 12:42; John 19:38; John 20:19
• 17. Matthew 26:55; John 7:28
• 18. John 1:19; John 7:11, 13, 35
• 19. Acts 26:24
• 20. John 3:11
• 21. Psalms 25:9, 14; Proverbs 3:32; Daniel 12:10; John 3:21; John 8:43
• 22. John 5:41; John 8:50, 54; John 12:43
• 23. John 1:17
• 24. Mark 11:18; John 7:1
• 25. Matthew 11:18; John 8:48f, 52; John 10:20
• 26. John 5:2-9, 16; John 7:23
• 27. Leviticus 12:3
• 28. Genesis 17:10f; Genesis 21:4; Acts 7:8
• 29. Matthew 12:2; John 5:9, 10
• 30. Leviticus 19:15; Isaiah 11:3; Zechariah 7:9; John 8:15
• 31. Luke 23:13; John 3:1
• 32. John 6:42; John 7:41; John 9:29
• 33. John 7:14
• 34. John 6:42; John 7:14; John 9:29
• 35. John 8:42
• 36. Matthew 11:27; John 8:55; John 17:25
• 37. John 6:46
• 38. John 3:17
• 39. Matthew 21:46; John 7:32, 44; John 10:39
• 40. John 7:6; John 8:20
• 41. John 2:23; John 8:30; John 10:42; John 11:45; John 12:11, 42
• 42. John 7:26
• 43. John 2:11
• 44. Matthew 26:58; John 7:45
• 45. Matthew 12:14
• 46. John 12:35; John 13:33; John 14:19; John 16:16-19
• 47. John 14:12, 28; John 16:5, 10, 17, 28; John 20:17
• 48. John 7:36; John 8:21; John 13:33
• 49. John 7:1
• 50. John 8:22
• 51. Psalms 147:2; Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 56:8; Zephaniah 3:10; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1
• 52. John 12:20; Acts 14:1; Acts 17:4; Acts 18:4; Romans 1:16
• 53. John 7:34; John 8:21; John 13:33
• 54. Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35; Nehemiah 8:18
• 55. John 4:10, 14; John 6:35
• 56. Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 55:1; Isaiah 58:11
• 57. John 4:10
• 58. Joel 2:28; John 1:33
• 59. John 20:22; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:4, 33; Acts 19:2
• 60. John 12:16, 23; John 13:31; John 16:14; John 17:1
• 61. Matthew 21:11; John 1:21
• 62. John 1:46; John 7:52
• 63. Psalms 89:4; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 2:5; Luke 2:4f
• 64. John 9:16; John 10:19
• 65. John 7:30
• 66. John 7:32
• 67. John 7:32
• 68. Matthew 7:28
• 69. John 7:12
• 70. John 12:42
• 71. Luke 23:13; John 7:26
• 72. John 3:1; John 19:39
• 73. Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15; Proverbs 18:13; Acts 23:3
• 74. John 1:46; John 7:41

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "and"
• [b]. Or "work"
• [c]. Lit "judge the righteous judgment"
• [d]. I.e. the Messiah
• [e]. I.e. the Messiah
• [f]. Or "attesting miracles"
• [g]. Vv 37-38 may also be read: "If anyone is thirsty,...let him come..., he who believes in me as..."
• [h]. Or "let him keep coming to Me and let him keep drinking"
• [i]. Lit "out of his belly"
• [j]. I.e. the Messiah
• [k]. I.e. the Messiah
• [l]. Later mss add the story of the adulterous woman, numbering it as John 7:53-8:11