John 7NKJV
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John7

New King James Version

1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

2Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.

3His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.

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

5For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

7The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

8You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”

9When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

10But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

11Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?”

12And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”

13However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

14Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

15And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

16Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

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.

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

19Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

20The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

21Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.

22Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.

23If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

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

25Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill?

26But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?

27However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”

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

29But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

30Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

31And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

32The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.

33Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.

34You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

35Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?

36What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

37On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

39But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

40Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.”

41Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?

42Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

43So there was a division among the people because of Him.

44Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

46The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

47Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?

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

49But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

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

51“Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

52They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

53And everyone went to his own house.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 7.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ goes to the feast of tabernacles. (1–13). His discourse at the feast. (14–39). The people dispute concerning Christ. (40–53).

vv1-13

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.

vv14-24

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.

vv25-30

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.

Cross References

John 7

Establishes the divine command and historical purpose behind the Feast of Tabernacles.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

Detailing the sacrificial laws and duration of the Feast of Tabernacles mentioned in verse 2.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v21John 5:9-11thematic

The 'one work' Jesus refers to that sparked Jewish outrage over the Sabbath.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Genesis 17:10-14thematic

Traces circumcision back to the covenant with the patriarch Abraham, before the law of Moses.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Leviticus 12:3thematic

The Mosaic command to circumcise on the eighth day, even when falling on a Sabbath.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v42Micah 5:2fulfillment

The prophetic expectation that Christ would be born in David's town of Bethlehem.

Supported by JFB

v6John 7:30thematic

Connects Jesus's statement about his 'time' to his escape from premature arrest.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v15Acts 4:13thematic

Parallel reaction to the apostles teaching with authority despite being uneducated, like Jesus.

Supported by JFB

Moses's command to judge righteously without showing partiality or respect of persons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v34John 8:21-24thematic

Reiterates the solemn warning that they will seek Him and die in their sins.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v40Deuteronomy 18:15fulfillment

The prophecy of 'the Prophet' like Moses whom the crowd believes Jesus to be.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v50John 3:1-2thematic

Identifies Nicodemus as the ruler who previously came to Jesus by night.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v19John 1:17contrast

Contrasts the law given through Moses with grace and truth coming through Jesus Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v37Numbers 29:35thematic

Identifies the eighth day as the solemn assembly, the 'great day of the feast'.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v38John 4:14thematic

Parallel teaching on the internal spring of living water springing up to eternal life.

Supported by Matthew Henry