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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:14-24
Commentary on John 7:14-24
(Read John 7:14-24)
Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.