71 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.
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.