71 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;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:1-28
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.