The Unbelief of Jesus' Brethren

71 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee , for He was unwilling e to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews , the Feast of Booths , was near . 3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea , so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing . 4 "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly . If You do these things , show Yourself to the world ." 5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him. 6 So Jesus said to them, " My time is not yet here , but your time is always opportune . 7 " The world cannot e hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil . 8 "Go up to the feast yourselves ; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come ." 9 Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee .

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles

10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast , then He Himself also went up, not publicly , but as if , in secret . 11 So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying , "Where is He?" 12 There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying , "He is a good man "; others were saying , "No , on the contrary , He leads the people astray ." 13 Yet no one was speaking 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 began to teach . 15 The Jews then were astonished , saying , "How has this man become learned , having never been educated ?" 16 So Jesus answered them and said , " My teaching is not Mine , but His who sent Me. 17 " If anyone is willing to do His will , he will know of the teaching , whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself . 18 "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory ; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true , and there is no unrighteousness in Him. 19 " Did not Moses give you the Law , and yet none of you carries out the Law ? Why do you seek to kill Me?" 20 The crowd answered , " You have a demon ! Who seeks to kill You?" 21 Jesus answered them, "I did one deed , and you all marvel . 22 "For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses , but from the fathers ), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man . 23 " If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken , are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath ? 24 "Do not judge according to appearance , but judge with righteous judgment ."

Is This the Christ?

25 So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying , "Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill ? 26 "Look , He is speaking publicly , and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ , do they? 27 "However , we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come , no one knows where He is from."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:1-27

Commentary on John 7:1-13

(Read John 7:1-13)

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.

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.

Commentary on John 7:25-30

(Read John 7:25-30)

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.