John 7
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
Christ Jesus time wasn't yet, so they avoided Judaea and those kenites.
2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.
The original feast of the tabernacles, or booths as it was called, was a time in which Israel remembered the forty years they wandered in the wilderness. Ref. Leviticus 23:34-43. Once a time of reflection on the blessing of their freedom, these kenites have made it a holiday. Sound familiar? What does your church do with Passover? Do they call it easter and have egg hunts for the children? Please don't make up excuses for that behavior. There is NO gray area in The Truth. Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
Christ family are urging Him to go to Judaea so those of Judaea can see more miracles from Him.
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.
They want Him to show the world because they want to be known themselves. There is a little bit of wanting a piece of the pie taking place here. They're missing The point on His purpose.
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
His brothers, sister, cousins, etc. are jealous of Him and refuse to see Who He is. They believe He's just someone with tricks they can ride the coattails on.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
Christ is telling them His time isn't yet and they should go do their thing because His time was written long ago.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Christ is telling His brothers, sisters and others, the world won't hate you because you love the worldly ways. The world will hate Him and those who teach Him because they hate whats right. If you tell people about the evil they do, you already understand what Christ is feeling here. Yes, not one of us is like Christ in perfection, but once you repent, you strive towards that perfection. You seek Him and His Way, with that you separate from the worldly ways. Are you able to judge in righteousness? The Word is The Manual for it. 2 Tim. 3:12-17 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
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.
Christ tells them to go on to their feast and that He will stay in Galilee for awhile longer.
10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
He didn't want to go with them because of the show they would have created being with Him. They would call attention to Him in creating a crowd to come watch some miracles. So Christ entered in alone and each disciple separately as to not call any attention to them. They each mix in the crowds.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
These kenites, not the real Jews, have created their holiday and fooled people into coming into Jerusalem to celebrate with them. These kenites want to know where Christ is. They have a reason and you should know what that is..... they want blood.
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.
Some could see Christ was doing Gods work and others hated Him for what He was saying and doing. Christ was taking the attention away from the lairs and deceivers with The Truth and with power and the kenites didn't like it.
13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Not one person would step up and speak loud for the sake of Christ.
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
In the middle of their celebration, Christ went to the Temple and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
They don't understand how Christ knows so much, He never went to their schools or studied with any of them.
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
The doctrine Christ speaks is backed by The Word of God. Their doctrine has been watered down and filled with traditions. I'm sure for many of them, they have just heard The Truth about things.
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.
Gods doctrine lines up with the rest of His Word. There is no contradictions or confusion. If you follow the will of God, it lines with His Word. It's our manual for this life in the flesh. Go to church today and more than likely, knowing or unknown, the "pastor" talks a lot, but nothing much is of God. 2 Tim. 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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.
All true blessings come from God and when you're more about His will than yours, you're blessed beyond self. If you are all about self, you can only bless yourself. That doesn't give you much of a blessing at all.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
The kenites are preaching the law and the law says "thou shalt do no murder" yet they're seeking to murder Christ. "Kill" here just as in The Commandments; Hebrew text its "murder" # 7523 רָצַח râtsach, raw-tsakh'; a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder:—put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er). Murder; #5406 φονεύω phoneúō, fon-yoo'-o; from G5406; to be a murderer (of):—kill, do murder, slay, always of criminal [intentional] homicide. Ref. Christ told us in Matthew 5:21-22 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, "Thou shalt not kill"; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the Judgment. 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, `Raca,' shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, `Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. I John 3:15-16 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiden in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. "Raca" when merited, is a English expression of showing discuss with a person. "Fool" Greek word for "moros", a wicked reprobate, lacking in spirituality and lacking any values or Biblical knowledge by choice.
20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
The crowd is blind to the actions of their own religious leaders.
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
They had all seen Christ heal the man on the Sabbath and marveled at what He had done.
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.
Gods covenant of circumcision with Abraham, then Abraham to Moses and then handed down though generations until The New Testament were it is no longer of the flesh but our hearts. It was done on the Sabbath and was healed on the Sabbath. We are circumcised by His blood and we are healed. Genesis 17:10-12 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
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?
Why would they be so mad about Christ healing a man, making him whole on the sabbath day, when by the law they are made whole on the sabbath by circumcision?
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
They aren't being fair. In order to judge correctly today, you must have the facts. The best way is to gather all the information you can before coming to a conclusion on any matter. To many jump right into a decision about something without doing the work. God's Word helps us judge righteously and without that manual for life, The Word of God, you can't judge righteously. Matthew 7 is an outline in understanding the way in which to judge.
25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
Here we see the people that live within Jerusalem calling attention to Christ standing before them as the one "their religious leaders" are seeking.
26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
While Christ is speaking and speaking boldly as we can see, they're yelling to everyone, "Do our rulers know this is the one that says He is The Anointed One of God".
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
They've been taught The Anointed One of God would come from Bethlehem and not one person would know He had come. They're saying "How can this be The Christ, this man came here from Galilee claiming He is The Anointed One of God."
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.
Christ is yelling at them saying "You should know Me and The One that sent Me" just like they say they know Moses, but they don't know him either.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Christ is yelling it to them within and outside of the Temple, He is The Messiah, The Anointed One sent from God.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
His hour wouldn't be for another year and a half from this altercation with these kenites and the traditionalist, deceived people of Jerusalem.
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?
They see Christ performing miracles, they hear His Words, they see the power and question will the coming Messiah be able to do what this man can do. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, what will it take for people to see The Truth.
32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Christ is rubbing these kenites the wrong way. He is healing people and teaching The Truth of God. Yep, I can see that. Ever tried teaching The Truth of God to people that refuse light for darkness?
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.
These people will seek out Christ to murder Him, but until His time has come, they won't find Him. On that spiritual level, we know anyone that seeks Christ today will find Him.
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?
These kenites are wondering if Christ is going to go to those tribes outside of Jerusalem.
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?
They can't wrap their heads around what Christ is saying.
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.
Being the eighth and final day of the feast, the urgency of hearing The Truth is being announced by Christ. Will they listen?..... Will you?
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Christ is referring to Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. The rock in the wilderness gave water for their flesh lives, our Rock, our Well of Salvation gives our souls life. If you believe, you drink from that well of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Christ Jesus is offering them that spiritual water and in that water is The Way to The Holy Spirit.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Condition! You must BELIEVE in Christ Jesus before you will receive The Holy Spirit. Nothing will be opened to you if you don't believe. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
They're talking about what is said in Deuteronomy 18:15 (and "The" gives specificity to one person) The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
They're unaware of Christ birth place.
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
David was born in Bethlehem and Micah shows us where Christ would be born. Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
Denominations will have divisions, but The Truth will stand alone. satan doesn't want everyone to have the same mind in Truth, but when we humble ourselves and study, The Truth will bring us together. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
His time wasn't yet and God saw to it they didn't move on Him.
45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
These officers see and hear the boldness of Christ when He spoke.
46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
They're amazed with the way in which Christ is preaching.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
The kenites see the officers like what they hear.
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
Nicodemus does! John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Nicodemus, a believer of Christ and a member of the the Sanhedrin. "Nicodemus" = Νικόδημος Nikódēmos, nik-od'-ay-mos; from G3534 and G1218; victorious among his people; Nicodemus, an Israelite:—Nicodemus. John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Nicodemus being of the high court, still called Christ "Rabbi" = Master. Nicodemus was no dummy. He knew full well Who Christ is. He came to Christ at night because he knows who he works with hates Christ. ῥαββί rhabbí, hrab-bee'; of Hebrew origin (H7227 with pronominal suffix); my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor:—Master, Rabbi. Rabbi /ˈræbaɪ/ is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רַבִּי rabi [ˈʁäbi], meaning "My Master"
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
These kenite Pharisees are accusing the people of not knowing the law, so they'll fall for whatever may come. He's going by what he thinks is the law. He lacks facts. He's thinking Christ was born in Galilee and can't be The Anointed One. His legalistic frame of mind keeps him from The Truth. Remember Micah? Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
Nicodemus is going to set them straight.
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
Do you judge before you hear the facts. You must hear from the accused before you judge them and the law requires witnesses before conviction. They're ignoring the law they claim to follow. Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
They just turned on Nicodemus. Now they're saying Nicodemus came from Galilee and is trying to protect one of his own. They want him to examine The Manuscripts and prove to them The Anointed One comes out of Galilee.
53 And every man went unto his own house.