1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
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.
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
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.
13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
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.
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.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
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.
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?
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
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.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
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?
32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
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?
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?
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.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
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.)
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53 And every man went unto his own house.
1 G2532 After G3326 these things G5023 Jesus G2424 walked G4043 in G1722 Galilee: G1056 for G1063 he would G2309 not G3756 walk G4043 in G1722 Jewry, G2449 because G3754 the Jews G2453 sought G2212 to kill G615 him. G846
2 Now G1161 the Jews' G2453 feast G1859 of tabernacles G4634 was G2258 at hand. G1451
3 His G846 brethren G80 therefore G3767 said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Depart G3327 hence, G1782 and G2532 go G5217 into G1519 Judaea, G2449 that G2443 thy G4675 disciples G3101 also G2532 may see G2334 the works G2041 that G3739 thou G4675 doest. G4160
4 For G1063 there is no man G3762 that doeth G4160 any thing G5100 in G1722 secret, G2927 and G2532 he himself G846 seeketh G2212 to be G1511 known openly. G1722 G3954 If G1487 thou do G4160 these things, G5023 shew G5319 thyself G4572 to the world. G2889
5 For G1063 neither G3761 did G4100 his G846 brethren G80 believe G4100 in G1519 him. G846
6 Then G3767 Jesus G2424 said G3004 unto them, G846 My G1699 time G2540 is G3918 not yet G3768 come: G3918 but G1161 your G5212 time G2540 is G2076 alway G3842 ready. G2092
7 The world G2889 cannot G3756 G1410 hate G3404 you; G5209 but G1161 me G1691 it hateth, G3404 because G3754 I G1473 testify G3140 of G4012 it, G846 that G3754 the works G2041 thereof G846 are G2076 evil. G4190
8 Go G305 ye G5210 up G305 unto G1519 this G5026 feast: G1859 I G1473 go G305 not G3768 up G305 yet G3768 unto G1519 this G5026 feast; G1859 for G3754 my G1699 time G2540 is G4137 not yet G3768 full come. G4137
9 When G1161 he had said G2036 these words G5023 unto them, G846 he abode G3306 still in G1722 Galilee. G1056
10 But G1161 when G5613 his G846 brethren G80 were gone up, G305 then G5119 went G305 he G846 also G2532 up G305 unto G1519 the feast, G1859 not G3756 openly, G5320 but G235 as it were G5613 in G1722 secret. G2927
11 Then G3767 the Jews G2453 sought G2212 him G846 at G1722 the feast, G1859 and G2532 said, G3004 Where G4226 is G2076 he? G1565
12 And G2532 there was G2258 much G4183 murmuring G1112 among G1722 the people G3793 concerning G4012 him: G846 for some G3303 said, G3004 G3754 He is G2076 a good man: G18 others G1161 G243 said, G3004 Nay; G3756 but G235 he deceiveth G4105 the people. G3793
13 Howbeit G3305 no man G3762 spake G2980 openly G3954 of G4012 him G846 for G1223 fear G5401 of the Jews. G2453
14 Now G2235 about G1161 the midst of G3322 the feast G1859 Jesus G2424 went up G305 into G1519 the temple, G2411 and G2532 taught. G1321
15 And G2532 the Jews G2453 marvelled, G2296 saying, G3004 How G4459 knoweth G1492 this man G3778 letters, G1121 having G3129 never G3361 learned? G3129
16 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 and G2532 said, G2036 My G1699 doctrine G1322 is G2076 not G3756 mine, G1699 but G235 his that sent G3992 me. G3165
17 If G1437 any man G5100 will G2309 do G4160 his G846 will, G2307 he shall know G1097 of G4012 the doctrine, G1322 whether G4220 it be G2076 of G1537 God, G2316 or G2228 whether I G1473 speak G2980 of G575 myself. G1683
18 He that speaketh G2980 of G575 himself G1438 seeketh G2212 his own G2398 glory: G1391 but G1161 he that seeketh G2212 his glory G1391 that sent G3992 him, G846 the same G3778 is G2076 true, G227 and G2532 no G3756 unrighteousness G93 is G2076 in G1722 him. G846
19 Did G1325 not G3756 Moses G3475 give G1325 you G5213 the law, G3551 and G2532 yet none G3762 of G1537 you G5216 keepeth G4160 the law? G3551 Why G5101 go ye about G2212 to kill G615 me? G3165
20 The people G3793 answered G611 and G2532 said, G2036 Thou hast G2192 a devil: G1140 who G5101 goeth about G2212 to kill G615 thee? G4571
21 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 I have done G4160 one G1520 work, G2041 and G2532 ye G2296 all G3956 marvel. G2296
22 Moses G3475 therefore G1223 G5124 gave G1325 unto you G5213 circumcision; G4061 (not G3756 because G3754 it is G2076 of G1537 Moses, G3475 but G235 of G1537 the fathers;) G3962 and G2532 ye G4059 on G1722 the sabbath day G4521 circumcise G4059 a man. G444
23 If G1487 a man G444 on G1722 the sabbath day G4521 receive G2983 circumcision, G4061 that G3363 the law G3551 of Moses G3475 should G3089 not G3363 be broken; G3089 are ye angry G5520 at me, G1698 because G3754 I have made G4160 a man G444 every whit G3650 whole G5199 on G1722 the sabbath day? G4521
24 Judge G2919 not G3361 according to G2596 the appearance, G3799 but G235 judge G2919 righteous G1342 judgment. G2920
25 Then G3767 said G3004 some G5100 of G1537 them of Jerusalem, G2415 Is G2076 not G3756 this G3778 he, whom G3739 they seek G2212 to kill? G615
26 But, G2532 lo, G2396 he speaketh G2980 boldly, G3954 and G2532 they say G3004 nothing G3762 unto him. G846 Do G1097 the rulers G758 know G1097 indeed G3379 G230 that G3754 this G3778 is G2076 the very G230 Christ? G5547
27 Howbeit G235 we know G1492 this man G5126 whence G4159 he is: G2076 but G1161 when G3752 Christ G5547 cometh, G2064 no man G3762 knoweth G1097 whence G4159 he is. G2076
28 Then G3767 cried G2896 Jesus G2424 in G1722 the temple G2411 as he taught, G1321 G2532 saying, G3004 Ye both G2504 know me, G1492 and G2532 ye know G1492 whence G4159 I am: G1510 and G2532 I am G2064 not G3756 come G2064 of G575 myself, G1683 but G235 he that sent G3992 me G3165 is G2076 true, G228 whom G3739 ye G5210 know G1492 not. G3756
29 But G1161 I G1473 know G1492 him: G846 for G3754 I am G1510 from G3844 him, G846 and he G2548 hath sent G649 me. G3165
30 Then G3767 they sought G2212 to take G4084 him: G846 but G2532 no man G3762 laid G1911 hands G5495 on G1909 him, G846 because G3754 his G846 hour G5610 was G2064 not yet G3768 come. G2064
31 And G1161 many G4183 of G1537 the people G3793 believed G4100 on G1519 him, G846 and G2532 said, G3004 G3754 When G3752 Christ G5547 cometh, G2064 will he do G3385 G4160 more G4119 miracles G4592 than these G5130 which G3739 this G3778 man hath done? G4160
32 The Pharisees G5330 heard G191 that the people G3793 murmured G1111 such things G5023 concerning G4012 him; G846 and G2532 the Pharisees G5330 and G2532 the chief priests G749 sent G649 officers G5257 to G2443 take G4084 him. G846
33 Then G3767 said G2036 Jesus G2424 unto them, G846 Yet G2089 a little G3398 while G5550 am I G1510 with G3326 you, G5216 and G2532 then I go G5217 unto G4314 him that sent G3992 me. G3165
34 Ye shall seek G2212 me, G3165 and G2532 shall G2147 not G3756 find G2147 me: and G2532 where G3699 I G1473 am, G1510 thither ye G5210 cannot G3756 G1410 come. G2064
35 Then G3767 said G2036 the Jews G2453 among G4314 themselves, G1438 Whither G4226 will G3195 he G3778 go, G4198 that G3754 we G2249 shall G2147 not G3756 find G2147 him? G846 will G3361 G3195 he go G4198 unto G1519 the dispersed G1290 among the Gentiles, G1672 and G2532 teach G1321 the Gentiles? G1672
36 What G5101 manner of saying G3056 is G2076 this G3778 that G3739 he said, G2036 Ye shall seek G2212 me, G3165 and G2532 shall G2147 not G3756 find G2147 me: and G2532 where G3699 I G1473 am, G1510 thither ye G5210 cannot G3756 G1410 come? G2064
37 G1161 In G1722 the last G2078 day, G2250 that great G3173 day of the feast, G1859 Jesus G2424 stood G2476 and G2532 cried, G2896 saying, G3004 If G1437 any man G5100 thirst, G1372 let him come G2064 unto G4314 me, G3165 and G2532 drink. G4095
38 He that believeth G4100 on G1519 me, G1691 as G2531 the scripture G1124 hath said, G2036 out of G1537 his G846 belly G2836 shall flow G4482 rivers G4215 of living G2198 water. G5204
39 (But G1161 this G5124 spake he G2036 of G4012 the Spirit, G4151 which G3739 they that believe G4100 on G1519 him G846 should G3195 receive: G2983 for G1063 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 was G2258 not yet G3768 given; because G3754 that Jesus G2424 was G1392 not yet G3764 glorified.) G1392
40 Many G4183 of G1537 the people G3793 therefore, G3767 when they heard G191 this saying, G3056 said, G3004 Of a truth G230 this G3778 is G2076 the Prophet. G4396
41 Others G243 said, G3004 This G3778 is G2076 the Christ. G5547 But G1161 some G243 said, G3004 G1063 Shall G3361 Christ G5547 come G2064 out of G1537 Galilee? G1056
42 Hath not G3780 the scripture G1124 said, G2036 That G3754 Christ G5547 cometh G2064 of G1537 the seed G4690 of David, G1138 and G2532 out of G575 the town G2968 of Bethlehem, G965 where G3699 David G1138 was? G2258
43 So G3767 there was G1096 a division G4978 among G1722 the people G3793 because G1223 of him. G846
44 And G1161 some G5100 of G1537 them G846 would G2309 have taken G4084 him; G846 but G235 no man G3762 laid G1911 hands G5495 on G1909 him. G846
45 Then G3767 came G2064 the officers G5257 to G4314 the chief priests G749 and G2532 Pharisees; G5330 and G2532 they G1565 said G2036 unto them, G846 Why G1302 have ye G71 not G3756 brought G71 him? G846
46 The officers G5257 answered, G611 Never G3763 man G444 spake G3779 G2980 like G5613 this G3778 man. G444
47 Then G3767 answered G611 them G846 the Pharisees, G5330 Are G4105 ye G5210 also G2532 deceived? G4105 G3361
48 Have any G3387 of G1537 the rulers G758 or G2228 of G1537 the Pharisees G5330 believed G4100 on G1519 him? G846
49 But G235 this G3778 people G3793 who G3588 knoweth G1097 not G3361 the law G3551 are G1526 cursed. G1944
50 Nicodemus G3530 saith G3004 unto G4314 them, G846 (he that came G2064 to Jesus G846 by G4314 night, G3571 being G5607 one G1520 of G1537 them,) G846
51 Doth G2919 our G2257 law G3551 judge G2919 G3361 any man, G444 before G4386 G3362 it hear G191 G3844 him, G846 and G2532 know G1097 what G5101 he doeth? G4160
52 They answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Art G3361 G1488 thou G4771 also G2532 of G1537 Galilee? G1056 Search, G2045 and G2532 look: G2396 for G3754 out of G1537 Galilee G1056 ariseth G1453 no G3756 prophet. G4396
53 And G2532 every man G1538 went G4198 unto G1519 his own G846 house. G3624
1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.
4 For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world.
5 For even his brethren did not believe on him.
6 Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil.
8 Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.
9 And having said these things unto them, he abode `still' in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.
13 Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or `whether' I speak from myself.
18 He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and `yet' none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me?
20 The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I did one work, and ye all marvel because thereof.
22 Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man.
23 If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?
24 Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?
26 And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
28 Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29 I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me.
30 They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31 But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?
32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
33 Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come.
35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?
37 Now on the last day, the great `day' of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet `given'; because Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 `Some' of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
46 The officers answered, Never man so spake.
47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
49 But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them),
51 Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?
52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53 And they went every man unto his own house:
1 And Jesus was walking after these things in Galilee, for he did not wish to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him,
2 and the feast of the Jews was nigh -- that of tabernacles --
3 his brethren, therefore, said unto him, `Remove hence, and go away to Judea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works that thou dost;
4 for no one in secret doth anything, and himself seeketh to be in public; if thou dost these things -- manifest thyself to the world;'
5 for not even were his brethren believing in him.
6 Jesus, therefore, saith to them, `My time is not yet present, but your time is always ready;
7 the world is not able to hate you, but me it doth hate, because I testify concerning it that its works are evil.
8 Ye -- go ye up to this feast; I do not yet go up to this feast, because my time hath not yet been fulfilled;'
9 and saying these things to them, he remained in Galilee.
10 And when his brethren went up, then also he himself went up to the feast, not manifestly, but as in secret;
11 the Jews, therefore, were seeking him, in the feast, and said, `Where is that one?'
12 and there was much murmuring about him among the multitudes, some indeed said -- `He is good;' and others said, `No, but he leadeth astray the multitude;'
13 no one, however, was speaking freely about him, through fear of the Jews.
14 And it being now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up to the temple, and he was teaching,
15 and the Jews were wondering, saying, `How hath this one known letters -- not having learned?'
16 Jesus answered them and said, `My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me;
17 if any one may will to do His will, he shall know concerning the teaching, whether it is of God, or -- I do speak from myself.
18 `He who is speaking from himself his own glory doth seek, but he who is seeking the glory of him who sent him, this one is true, and unrighteousness is not in him;
19 hath not Moses given you the law? and none of you doth the law; why me do ye seek to kill?'
20 The multitude answered and said, `Thou hast a demon, who doth seek to kill thee?'
21 Jesus answered and said to them, `One work I did, and ye all wonder,
22 because of this, Moses hath given you the circumcision -- not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers -- and on a sabbath ye circumcise a man;
23 if a man doth receive circumcision on a sabbath that the law of Moses may not be broken, are ye wroth with me that I made a man all whole on a sabbath?
24 judge not according to appearance, but the righteous judgment judge.'
25 Certain, therefore, of the Jerusalemites said, `Is not this he whom they are seeking to kill?
26 and, lo, he doth speak freely, and they say nothing to him; did the rulers at all know truly that this is truly the Christ?
27 but this one -- we have known whence he is; and the Christ, when he doth come, no one doth know whence he is.'
28 Jesus cried, therefore, in the temple, teaching and saying, `Ye have both known me, and ye have known whence I am; and I have not come of myself, but He who sent me is true, whom ye have not known;
29 and I have known Him, because I am from Him, and He did send me.'
30 They were seeking, therefore, to seize him, and no one laid the hand on him, because his hour had not yet come,
31 and many out of the multitude did believe in him, and said -- `The Christ -- when he may come -- will he do more signs than these that this one did?'
32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers that they may take him;
33 Jesus, therefore, said to them, `Yet a little time I am with you, and I go away unto Him who sent me;
34 ye will seek me, and ye shall not find; and where I am, ye are not able to come.'
35 The Jews, therefore, said among themselves, `Whither is this one about to go that we shall not find him? -- to the dispersion of the Greeks is he about to go? and to teach the Greeks;
36 what is this word that he said, Ye will seek me, and ye shall not find? and, Where I am, ye are not able to come?'
37 And in the last, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, `If any one doth thirst, let him come unto me and drink;
38 he who is believing in me, according as the Writing said, Rivers out of his belly shall flow of living water;'
39 and this he said of the Spirit, which those believing in him were about to receive; for not yet was the Holy Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 Many, therefore out of the multitude, having heard the word, said, `This is truly the Prophet;'
41 others said, `This is the Christ;' and others said, `Why, out of Galilee doth the Christ come?
42 Did not the Writing say, that out of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem -- the village where David was -- the Christ doth come?'
43 A division, therefore, arose among the multitude because of him.
44 And certain of them were willing to seize him, but no one laid hands on him;
45 the officers came, therefore, unto the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, `Wherefore did ye not bring him?'
46 The officers answered, `Never so spake man -- as this man.'
47 The Pharisees, therefore, answered them, `Have ye also been led astray?
48 did any one out of the rulers believe in him? or out of the Pharisees?
49 but this multitude, that is not knowing the law, is accursed.'
50 Nicodemus saith unto them -- he who came by night unto him -- being one of them,
51 `Doth our law judge the man, if it may not hear from him first, and know what he doth?'
52 They answered and said to him, `Art thou also out of Galilee? search and see, that a prophet out of Galilee hath not risen;'
53 and each one went on to his house, but Jesus went on to the mount of the Olives.
1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the tabernacles, the feast of the Jews, was near.
3 His brethren therefore said to him, Remove hence and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou doest;
4 for no one does anything in secret and himself seeks to be [known] in public. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world:
5 for neither did his brethren believe on him.
6 Jesus therefore says to them, My time is not yet come, but your time is always ready.
7 The world cannot hate you, but me it hates, because I bear witness concerning it that its works are evil.
8 Ye, go ye up to this feast. I go not up to this feast, for *my* time is not yet fulfilled.
9 Having said these things to them he abode in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren had gone up, then he himself also went up to the feast, not openly, but as in secret.
11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring concerning him among the crowds. Some said, He is [a] good [man]; others said, No; but he deceives the crowd.
13 However, no one spoke openly concerning him on account of [their] fear of the Jews.
14 But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15 The Jews therefore wondered, saying, How knows this [man] letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus therefore answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but [that] of him that has sent me.
17 If any one desire to practise his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is of God, or [that] I speak from myself.
18 He that speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that has sent him, he is true, and unrighteousness is not in him.
19 Has not Moses given you the law, and no one of you practises the law? Why do ye seek to kill me?
20 The crowd answered [and said], Thou hast a demon: who seeks to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said to them, I have done one work, and ye all wonder.
22 Therefore Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and ye circumcise a man on sabbath.
23 If a man receives circumcision on sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be violated, are ye angry with me because I have made a man entirely sound on sabbath?
24 Judge not according to sight, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Some therefore of those of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?
26 and behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers then indeed recognised that this is the Christ?
27 But [as to] this [man] we know whence he is. Now [as to] the Christ, when he comes, no one knows whence he is.
28 Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and 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 do not know.
29 I know him, because I am from him, and *he* has sent me.
30 They sought therefore to take him; and no one laid his hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
31 But many of the crowd believed on him, and said, Will the Christ, when he comes, do more signs than those which this [man] has done?
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers that they might take him.
33 Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while I am with you, and I go to him that has sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me and shall not find [me], and where I am ye cannot come.
35 The Jews therefore said to one another, Where is he about to go that we shall not find him? Is he about to go to the dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36 What word is this which he said, Ye shall seek me and shall not find [me]; and where I am ye cannot come?
37 In the last, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink.
38 He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 But this he said concerning the Spirit, which they that believed on him were about to receive; for [the] Spirit was not yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
40 [Some] out of the crowd therefore, having heard this word, said, This is truly the prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. Others said, Does then the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from the village of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 There was a division therefore in the crowd on account of him.
44 But some of them desired to take him, but no one laid hands upon him.
45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, Why have ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spoke thus, as this man [speaks].
47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also deceived?
48 Has any one of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, are accursed.
50 Nicodemus says to them (being one of themselves),
51 Does our law judge a man before it have first heard from himself, and know what he does?
52 They answered and said to him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look, that no prophet arises out of Galilee.
53 And every one went to his home.
1 After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn't walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.
3 His brothers therefore said to him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.
4 For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world."
5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6 Jesus therefore said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
7 The world can't hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
8 You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled."
9 Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee.
10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, "Where is he?"
12 There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "Not so, but he leads the multitude astray."
13 Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 But when it was now the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How does this man know letters, having never been educated?"
16 Jesus therefore answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
17 If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.
18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19 Didn't Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?"
20 The multitude answered, "You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?"
21 Jesus answered them, "I did one work, and you all marvel because of it.
22 Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy.
23 If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me, because I made a man every bit whole on the Sabbath?
24 Don't judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
25 Therefore some of them of Jerusalem said, "Isn't this he whom they seek to kill?
26 Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ?
27 However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from."
28 Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don't know.
29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."
30 They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
31 But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, he won't do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?"
32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.
33 Then Jesus said, "I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me.
34 You will seek me, and won't find me; and where I am, you can't come."
35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, "Where will this man go that we won't find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36 What is this word that he said, 'You will seek me, and won't find me; and where I am, you can't come?'"
37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!
38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water."
39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified.
40 Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, "This is truly the prophet."
41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "What, does the Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hasn't the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"
43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44 Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him.
45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why didn't you bring him?"
46 The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!"
47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, "You aren't also led astray, are you?
48 Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees?
49 But this multitude that doesn't know the law is accursed."
50 Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them,
51 "Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?"
52 They answered him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search, and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."
53 Everyone went to his own house,
1 After this, Jesus went from place to place in Galilee. He did not go about in Judaea, because the Jews were looking for a chance to put him to death.
2 But the feast of the Jews, the feast of tents, was near.
3 So his brothers said to him, Go away from here into Judaea so that your disciples may see the works which you do.
4 Because no man does things secretly if he has a desire that men may have knowledge of him. If you do these things, let yourself be seen by all men.
5 For even his brothers had no belief in him.
6 Jesus said to them, My time is still to come, but any time is good for you.
7 It is not possible for you to be hated by the world; but I am hated by it, because I give witness that what it does is evil.
8 Go you up to the feast: I am not going up now to the feast because my time has not fully come.
9 Having said these things to them, he still kept in Galilee.
10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he went up, not publicly, but in secret.
11 At the feast the Jews were looking for him and saying, Where is he?
12 And there was much discussion about him among the mass of the people. Some said, He is a good man; but others said, No, he is giving people false ideas.
13 But no man said anything about him openly for fear of the Jews.
14 Now in the middle of the feast Jesus went up to the Temple and was teaching.
15 Then the Jews were surprised and said, How has this man got knowledge of books? He has never been to school.
16 Jesus gave them this answer: It is not my teaching, but his who sent me.
17 If any man is ready to do God's pleasure he will have knowledge of the teaching and of where it comes from--from God or from myself.
18 The man whose words come from himself is looking for glory for himself, but he who is looking for the glory of him who sent him--that man is true and there is no evil in him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law? Even so, not one of you keeps the law. Why have you a desire to put me to death?
20 The people said in answer, You have an evil spirit: who has any desire to put you to death?
21 This was the answer of Jesus: I have done one work and you are all surprised at it.
22 Moses gave you circumcision--not that it comes from Moses, but from the fathers--and even on the Sabbath you give a child circumcision.
23 If a child is given circumcision on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?
24 Let not your decisions be based on what you see, but on righteousness.
25 Then some of the people of Jerusalem said, Is not this the man whose death is desired?
26 And here he is talking openly and they say nothing to him! Is it possible that the rulers have knowledge that this is truly the Christ?
27 However, it is clear to us where this man comes from: but when the Christ comes no one will have knowledge where he comes from.
28 Then, when he was teaching in the Temple, Jesus said with a loud voice, You have knowledge of me and you have knowledge of where I come from; and I have not come of myself; but there is One who has sent me; he is true, but you have no knowledge of him.
29 I have knowledge of him because I came from him and he sent me.
30 Then they had a desire to take him: but no man put hands on him because his hour was still to come.
31 And numbers of the people had belief in him, and they said, When the Christ comes will he do more signs than this man has done?
32 This discussion of the people came to the ears of the Pharisees; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent servants to take him.
33 Then Jesus said, I will be with you a little longer and then I go to him who sent me.
34 You will be looking for me, and you will not see me: and where I am you may not come.
35 So the Jews said among themselves, To what place is he going where we will not see him? will he go to the Jews living among the Greeks and become the teacher of the Greeks?
36 What is this saying of his, You will be looking for me and will not see me, and where I am you may not come?
37 On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus got up and said in a loud voice, If any man is in need of drink let him come to me and I will give it to him.
38 He who has faith in me, out of his body, as the Writings have said, will come rivers of living water.
39 This he said of the Spirit which would be given to those who had faith in him: the Spirit had not been given then, because the glory of Jesus was still to come.
40 When these words came to their ears, some of the people said, This is certainly the prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But others said, Not so; will the Christ come from Galilee?
42 Do not the Writings say that the Christ comes of the seed of David and from Beth-lehem, the little town where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them had a desire to take him; but no man put hands on him.
45 Then the servants went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, Why have you not got him with you?
46 The servants made answer, No man ever said things like this man.
47 Then the Pharisees said to them, Have you, like the others, been given false ideas?
48 Have any of the rulers belief in him, or any one of the Pharisees?
49 But these people who have no knowledge of the law are cursed.
50 Nicodemus--he who had come to Jesus before, being himself one of them--said to them,
51 Is a man judged by our law before it has given him a hearing and has knowledge of what he has done?
52 This was their answer: And do you come from Galilee? Make search and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.
53 [And every man went to his house;
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on John 7
Commentary on John 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 7
Joh 7:1-53. Christ at the Feast of Tabernacles.
1, 2. After these things—that is, all that is recorded after Joh 5:18.
walked in Galilee—continuing His labors there, instead of going to Judea, as might have been expected.
sought to kill him—referring back to Joh 5:18. Hence it appears that our Lord did not attend the Passover mentioned in Joh 6:4—being the third since His ministry began, if the feast mentioned in Joh 5:1 was a Passover.
2. feast of tabernacles … at hand—This was the last of the three annual festivals, celebrated on the fifteenth of the seventh month (September). (See Le 23:33, &c.; De 16:13, &c.; Ne 8:14-18).
3-5. His brethren said—(See on Mt 13:54-56).
Depart … into Judea, &c.—In Joh 7:5 this speech is ascribed to their unbelief. But as they were in the "upper room" among the one hundred and twenty disciples who waited for the descent of the Spirit after the Lord's ascension (Ac 1:14), they seem to have had their prejudices removed, perhaps after His resurrection. Indeed here their language is more that of strong prejudice and suspicion (such as near relatives, even the best, too frequently show in such cases), than from unbelief. There was also, probably, a tincture of vanity in it. "Thou hast many disciples in Judea; here in Galilee they are fast dropping off; it is not like one who advances the claims Thou dost to linger so long here, away from the city of our solemnities, where surely 'the kingdom of our father David' is to be set up: 'seeking,' as Thou dost, 'to be known openly,' those miracles of Thine ought not to be confined to this distant corner, but submitted at headquarters to the inspection of 'the world.'" (See Ps 69:8, "I am become a stranger to my brethren, an alien unto my mother's children!")
6-10. My time is not yet come—that is, for showing Himself to the world.
your time is always ready—that is "It matters little when we go up, for ye have no great plans in life, and nothing hangs upon your movements. With Me it is otherwise; on every movement of Mine there hangs what ye know not. The world has no quarrel with you, for ye bear no testimony against it, and so draw down upon yourselves none of its wrath; but I am here to lift up My voice against its hypocrisy, and denounce its abominations; therefore it cannot endure Me, and one false step might precipitate its fury on its Victim's head before the time. Away, therefore, to the feast as soon as it suits you; I follow at the fitting moment, but 'My time is not yet full come.'"
10. then went he … not openly—not "in the (caravan) company" [Meyer]. See on Lu 2:44.
as it were in secret—rather, "in a manner secretly"; perhaps by some other route, and in a way not to attract notice.
11-13. Jews—the rulers.
sought him—for no good end.
Where is He?—He had not been at Jerusalem for probably a year and a half.
12. much murmuring—buzzing.
among the people—the multitudes; the natural expression of a Jewish writer, indicating without design the crowded state of Jerusalem at this festival [Webster and Wilkinson].
a good man … Nay … deceiveth the people—the two opposite views of His claims, that they were honest, and that they were an imposture.
13. none spake openly of him—that is, in His favor, "for fear of the [ruling] Jews."
14, 15. about the midst of the feast—the fourth or fifth day of the eight, during which it lasted.
went up into the temple and taught—The word denotes formal and continuous teaching, as distinguished from mere casual sayings. This was probably the first time that He did so thus openly in Jerusalem. He had kept back till the feast was half through, to let the stir about Him subside, and entering the city unexpectedly, had begun His "teaching" at the temple, and created a certain awe, before the wrath of the rulers had time to break it.
15. How knoweth … letters—learning (Ac 26:24).
having never learned—at any rabbinical school, as Paul under Gamaliel. These rulers knew well enough that He had not studied under any human teacher—an important admission against ancient and modern attempts to trace our Lord's wisdom to human sources [Meyer]. Probably His teaching on this occasion was expository, manifesting that unrivalled faculty and depth which in the Sermon on the Mount had excited the astonishment of all.
16-18. doctrine … not mine, &c.—that is, from Myself unauthorized; I am here by commission.
17. If any man will do his will, &c.—"is willing," or "wishes to do."
whether … of God, or … of myself—from above or from beneath; is divine or an imposture of Mine. A principle of immense importance, showing, on the one hand, that singleness of desire to please God is the grand inlet to light on all questions vitally affecting one's eternal interests, and on the other, that the want of his, whether perceived or not, is the chief cause of infidelity amidst the light of revealed religion.
18. seeketh his own glory—(See on Joh 5:41-44).
19, 20. Did not Moses, &c.—that is, In opposing Me ye pretend zeal for Moses, but to the spirit and end of that law which he gave ye are total strangers, and in "going about to kill Me" ye are its greatest enemies.
20. The people answered, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?—This was said by the multitude, who as yet had no bad feeling to Jesus, and were not in the secret of the plot hatching, as our Lord knew, against Him.
21-24. I have done one work, &c.—Taking no notice of the popular appeal, as there were those there who knew well enough what He meant, He recalls His cure of the impotent man, and the murderous rage it had kindled (Joh 5:9, 16, 18). It may seem strange that He should refer to an event a year and a half old, as if but newly done. But their present attempt "to kill Him" brought up the past scene vividly, not only to Him, but without doubt to them, too, if indeed they had ever forgotten it; and by this fearless reference to it, exposing their hypocrisy and dark designs, He gave His position great moral strength.
22. Moses … gave unto you circumcision, &c.—Though servile work was forbidden on the sabbath, the circumcision of males on that day (which certainly was a servile work) was counted no infringement of the Law. How much less ought fault to be found with One who had made a man "every whit whole"—or rather, "a man's entire body whole"—on the sabbath-day? What a testimony to the reality of the miracle, none daring to meet the bold appeal.
24. Judge not, &c.—that is, Rise above the letter into the spirit of the law.
25-27. some of them of Jerusalem—the citizens, who, knowing the long-formed purpose of the rulers to put Jesus to death, wondered that they were now letting Him teach openly.
26. Do the rulers know, &c.—Have they got some new light in favor of His claims?
27. Howbeit we know this man, &c.—This seems to refer to some current opinion that Messiah's origin would be mysterious (not altogether wrong), from which they concluded that Jesus could not be He, since they knew all about His family at Nazareth.
28, 29. cried Jesus—in a louder tone, and more solemn, witnessing style than usual.
Ye both, &c.—that is, "Yes, ye know both Myself and My local parentage, and (yet) I am not come of Myself."
but he that sent me is true, &c.—Probably the meaning is, "He that sent Me is the only real Sender of any one."
30-32. sought to take … none laid hands—their impotence being equal to their malignity.
31. When Christ cometh, will he, &c.—that is, If this be not the Christ, what can the Christ do, when He does come, which has not been anticipated and eclipsed by this man? This was evidently the language of friendly persons, overborne by their spiteful superiors, but unable to keep quite silent.
32. heard that the people murmured—that mutterings to this effect were going about, and thought it high time to stop Him if He was not to be allowed to carry away the people.
33, 34. Yet a little while, &c.—that is, "Your desire to be rid of Me will be for you all too soon fulfilled. Yet a little while and we part company—for ever; for I go whither ye cannot come: nor, even when ye at length seek Him whom ye now despise, shall ye be able to find Him"—referring not to any penitential, but to purely selfish cries in their time of desperation.
35, 36. Whither will he go, &c.—They cannot comprehend Him, but seem awed by the solemn grandeur of His warning. He takes no notice, however, of their questions.
37-39. the last day, that great day of the feast—the eighth (Le 23:39). It was a sabbath, the last feast day of the year, and distinguished by very remarkable ceremonies. "The generally joyous character of this feast broke out on this day into loud jubilation, particularly at the solemn moment when the priest, as was done on every day of this festival, brought forth, in golden vessels, water from the stream of Siloah, which flowed under the temple-mountain, and solemnly poured it upon the altar. Then the words of Isa 12:3 were sung, With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation, and thus the symbolical reference of this act, intimated in Joh 7:39, was expressed" [Olshausen]. So ecstatic was the joy with which this ceremony was performed—accompanied with sound of trumpets—that it used to be said, "Whoever had not witnessed it had never seen rejoicing at all" [Lightfoot].
Jesus stood—On this high occasion, then, He who had already drawn all eyes upon Him by His supernatural power and unrivalled teaching—"Jesus stood," probably in some elevated position.
and cried—as if making proclamation in the audience of all the people.
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink!—What an offer! The deepest cravings of the human spirit are here, as in the Old Testament, expressed by the figure of "thirst," and the eternal satisfaction of them by "drinking." To the woman of Samaria He had said almost the same thing, and in the same terms (Joh 4:13, 14). But what to her was simply affirmed to her as a fact, is here turned into a world-wide proclamation; and whereas there, the gift by Him of the living water is the most prominent idea—in contrast with her hesitation to give Him the perishable water of Jacob's well—here, the prominence is given to Himself as the Well spring of all satisfaction. He had in Galilee invited all the WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN of the human family to come under His wing and they should find REST (Mt 11:28), which is just the same deep want, and the same profound relief of it, under another and equally grateful figure. He had in the synagogue of Capernaum (Joh 6:36) announced Himself, in every variety of form, as "the Bread of Life," and as both able and authorized to appease the "HUNGER," and quench the "THIRST," of all that apply to Him. There is, and there can be, nothing beyond that here. But what was on all those occasions uttered in private, or addressed to a provincial audience, is here sounded forth in the streets of the great religious metropolis, and in language of surpassing majesty, simplicity, and grace. It is just Jehovah's ancient proclamation now sounding forth through human flesh, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no Money!" &c. (Isa 55:1). In this light we have but two alternatives; either to say with Caiaphas of Him that uttered such words, "He is guilty of death," or falling down before Him to exclaim with Thomas, " My Lord AND MY God!"
38. as the scripture hath said—These words belong to what follows, "Out of his belly, as the scripture hath said, shall flow," &c. referring not to any particular passage, but to such as Isa 58:11; Joe 3:18; Zec 14:8; Eze 47:1-12; in most of which the idea is that of waters issuing from beneath the temple, to which our Lord compares Himself and those who believe in Him.
out of his belly—that is, his inner man, his soul, as in Pr 20:27.
rivers of living water—(See on Joh 4:13). It refers primarily to the copiousness, but indirectly also to the diffusiveness, of this living water to the good of others.
39. this spake he of the Spirit—who, by His direct personal agency, opens up this spring of living waters in the human spirit (Joh 3:6), and by His indwelling in the renewed soul ensures their unfailing flow.
they that believe, &c.—As the Holy Ghost is, in the redemption of man, entirely at the service of Christ, as His Agent, so it is only in believing connection with Christ that any one "receives" the Spirit.
for the Holy Ghost was not yet given—Beyond all doubt the word "given," or some similar word, is the right supplement. In Joh 16:7 the Holy Ghost is represented not only as the gift of Christ, but a gift the communication of which was dependent upon His own departure to the Father. Now as Christ was not yet gone, so the Holy Ghost was not yet given.
Jesus not yet glorified—The word "glorified" is here used advisedly, to teach the reader not only that the departure of Christ to the Father was indispensable to the giving of the Spirit, but that this illustrious Gift, direct from the hands of the ascended Saviour, was God's intimation to the world that He whom it had cast out, crucified, and slain, was "His Elect, in whom His soul delighted," and that it was through the smiting of that Rock that the waters of the Spirit—for which the Church was waiting, and with pomp at the feast of tabernacles proclaiming its expectation—had gushed forth upon a thirsty world.
40-43. Many … when they heard this … said, Of a truth, &c.—The only wonder is they did not all say it. "But their minds were blinded."
41. Others said, This is the Christ—(See on Joh 1:21).
Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42. scripture said … of the seed of David, and out of … Bethlehem, &c.—We accept this spontaneous testimony to our David-descended, Bethlehem-born Saviour. Had those who gave it made the inquiry which the case demanded, they would have found that Jesus "came out of Galilee" (Joh 7:41) and "out of Bethlehem" both, alike in fulfilment of prophecy as in point of fact. (Mt 2:23; 4:13-16).
44-49. would have taken him; but, &c.—(See on Joh 7:30).
45. Then came the officers—"sent to take him" (Joh 7:32).
Why … not brought him?—already thirsting for their Victim, and thinking it an easy matter to seize and bring Him.
46. Never man spake like this man—Noble testimony of unsophisticated men! Doubtless they were strangers to the profound intent of Christ's teaching, but there was that in it which by its mysterious grandeur and transparent purity and grace, held them spellbound. No doubt it was of God that they should so feel, that their arm might be paralyzed, as Christ's hour was not yet come; but even in human teaching there has sometimes been felt such a divine power, that men who came to kill them (for example, Rowland Hiss) have confessed to all that they were unmanned.
47. ye also deceived—In their own servants this seemed intolerable.
48. any of the rulers or … Pharisees believed—"Many of them" did, including Nicodemus and Joseph, but not one of these had openly "confessed Him" (Joh 12:42), and this appeal must have stung such of them as heard it to the quick.
49. But this people—literally, "multitude," meaning the ignorant rabble. (Pity these important distinctions, so marked in the original of this Gospel, should not be also in our version.)
knoweth not the law—that is, by school learning, which only subverted it by human traditions.
are cursed—a cursed set (a kind of swearing at them, out of mingled rage and scorn).
50-53. Nicodemus—reappearing to us after nearly three years' absence from the history, as a member of the council, probably then sitting.
51. Doth our law, &c.—a very proper, but all too tame rejoinder, and evidently more from pressure of conscience than any design to pronounce positively in the case. "The feebleness of his defense of Jesus has a strong contrast in the fierceness of the rejoinders of the Pharisees" [Webster and Wilkinson].
52. thou of Galilee—in this taunt expressing their scorn of the party. Even a word of caution, or the gentlest proposal to inquire before condemning, was with them equivalent to an espousal of the hated One.
Search … out of Galilee … no prophet—Strange! For had not Jonah (of Gath-hepher) and even Elijah (of Thisbe) arisen out of Galilee? And there it may be more, of whom we have no record. But rage is blind, and deep prejudice distorts all facts. Yet it looks as if they were afraid of losing Nicodemus, when they take the trouble to reason the point at all. It was just because he had "searched," as they advised him, that he went the length even that he did.
53. every man went unto his own home—finding their plot could not at that time be carried into effect. Is your rage thus impotent, ye chief priests?