John Chapter 7 - Commentary

1-13 Jesus and His Brethren

Some time after the discourse in Capernaum, Jesus is confronted by His family. Again, John focuses on the controversy that builds to a point of confrontation. Jesus always draws the listener to a point of decision, and those who reject Him are not neutral – but rather hostile. The human heart has not changed to this day

[2] The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)

Tabernacle in Greek is skenopegia meaning “booth”.

Hoshanah Rabah on 21 Tishri (17 Oct 2003) is the final day of this feast, a special shabbat, where the Jewish faithful celebrated returning from temporary dwellings to their “permanent” homes. Many went to Jerusalem, and celebrate the coming in of the harvest. The priests would form a procession to the pool of Siloam and pour the water out in the temple in memory of the living water that came forth from the Rock (Exodus 17).

Prophetic nature of the 3 mandatory feasts of Israel

• Passover commemorated and foreshadowed the crucifixion of Christ
• Pentecost commemorated and foreshadowed the church
• The Feast of the “Ingathering” implies the gathering up of the church….

[3] The brethren of Jesus

His own brothers did not believe him (and at least two sisters) see verse 5.

Psalm 69 says “I will be a stranger to my brothers and an alien to my mother’s children”.

[6] The world hates a “whistle blower” and doesn’t want a conscience.

[8] I do not go to the Feast….

Deuteronomy 16:16 notes this is a mandatory feast, where able bodied men went to Jerusalem. A better rendering of the text is that “now is not the appropriate time to go to the feast”. Jesus is on God’s clock, submitting to what the Father has ordained. Man’s time is what seems best to him given the current circumstances and what he pleases.

14-23 Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles

[16] Note “doctrine” is singular.

The rabbis assumed since Jesus did not attend formal seminary, that He was self-taught. Jesus gives them a third option – the Word of God directly.

[17] The key to understanding Truth

¹⁷If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

This says that if you first decide to believe in Christ and follow Him then you will gain understanding. The agnostic reverses that – if first I understand, then I will believe.

Yet, without faith, even if you possessed supernatural knowledge (Satan?), you cannot please God - Hebrews 11:

⁶But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

How do we respond when faced with truth that is in conflict with our current beliefs?

Honest people instinctively realize the truth of God’s word, it is ultimately a moral decision, not intellectual. Remember Psalm 53: ¹The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” and I Corinthians 18:

⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

[25] Confusion of the people

Some thought he as speaking with the blessing of the leaders

Some thought he was a fraud because they “assumed” he was born in Nazareth

Some thought he was a good man and were amazed at his miracles

All their confusion was based on a superficial knowledge of the scriptures.

[29] Christ’s claim of Deity

²⁸Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. ²⁹I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

[30] The Pharisees completely understood the meaning of His claim based on their reaction. The entire time, Christ was in control – he could not be harmed until the time was fulfilled. This holds true through the crucifixion.

[34] A time will come when it is too late...

[37] Again Jesus uses the metaphor that He is the Living Water.

He appropriates the meaning of the procession described that commemorates the water from the rock in Exodus 17. During the procession, the crowds sang from Isaiah 12:

¹ “O LORD, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me,

Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

² Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;

‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’”

³ Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.

⁴ And in that day you will say: “Praise the LORD, call upon His name;

Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.

⁵ Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things;

This is known in all the earth.

⁶ Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,

For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”

[43] So there were divisions – Christ came to bring us to a decision, one that not all will agree on. Luke 12:

⁵¹ Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; ⁵² for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

[45] The guards' excuse: He talked fancy to us!

He has spent four days saying He is equal with God, enraging the Pharisees and Sadducees, and when they send a Temple guard detail to arrest him, nothing happens! It wasn't the time yet.

[48] Have any rulers believed Him? “We know the Law, that will save us”

[52] Their arrogance blinded them, or the “teachers of the Law” didn't know their own material.

At least two prophets came out of Galilee, Nahum for which the village Capernaum is named, and Jonah. Perhaps they were ignored as prophets because they preached to gentiles….

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.