John 7

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

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.

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

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.

Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

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.

Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

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.

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?

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

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.

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

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?

The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

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?

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?

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.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

So there was a division among the people because of him.

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

And every man went unto his own house.

What does John 7:36 mean?

Explanation

John 7:36 contains words attributed to Jesus in the New Testament.

The statement is part of Jesus' dialogue with the Jewish crowd during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Literally, the verse reflects a sense of puzzlement among the crowd regarding Jesus' statement about His future absence and their inability to find Him or join Him where He is going.

On a deeper level, Jesus is alluding to His death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven , events that would temporarily separate Him from His followers and permanently from those who do not believe in Him.

The saying indicates a spiritual truth about the exclusivity of the access to where Jesus is going (Heaven) to those who believe in Him.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written in a context where early Christian communities were grappling with their identity and relationship to Judaism.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish festival in Jerusalem, Jesus openly taught in the Temple.

His teachings often confounded the Jewish leaders and people.

This particular verse represents a point in Jesus' ministry where He is beginning to speak more openly about His departure from the world, which points forward to His crucifixion and the establishment of the New Covenant.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse in varied ways.

From a traditional Christian viewpoint, it emphasizes Jesus' divinity and the belief in Him as the only way to salvation and eternal life.

Non-trinitarian perspectives may view this verse as a reflection of Jesus' special role as a mediator without necessarily attributing divinity to Him.

Meanwhile, some critical scholars might see this verse as part of a theological agenda of the Johannine community to differentiate from mainstream Judaism.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to reflect on the importance of seeking Jesus with a genuine heart to understand the path to eternal life.

It also serves as a reminder that there will be a time when the opportunity to seek Jesus may no longer be available, thereby emphasizing the urgency of making a commitment to faith.

For non-believers, it could raise questions about the exclusivity of Christianity and provide an opportunity for interfaith dialogue.

Cross-References

John 8:21-22: "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come."
John 13:33: "Little children, yet a little while I am with you.

Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you."

John 14:2-3: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you."

Language Study

The original Greek language provides deeper nuances to certain words in the verse:

"ἐρεῦνατέ" (ereunate) translated as "ye shall seek" indicates an active search or inquiry.
"οὐχ εὑρήσετέ" (ou heurēsete) translated as "shall not find" implies an unsuccessful search.
"ὅπου" (hopou) translated as "where" is indicating the place or state to which Jesus refers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient cultures and religions, there are often concepts of inaccessible divine realms or the separation between gods and humans.

For example, in Greek mythology, Olympus was the dwelling of the gods and inaccessible to mortals.

In this Biblical context, the separation is not just spatial but also spiritual, and it can be bridged through belief in Jesus.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse doesn't directly intersect with scientific inquiry, as it concerns spiritual or metaphysical teachings that are beyond empirical testing. Science does not aim to prove or disprove spiritual beliefs but rather to understand the natural world.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a wide array of interpretations of this verse:

Matthew Henry: He suggests that this confusion represents how the Jews were blinded to the meaning of Jesus' words and that the inability to come where Jesus is reflects their unbelief.
William Barclay: Barclay interprets this as Jesus explaining the urgent necessity of making a decision about Him before it is too late.
**Craig S.

Keener**: Keener posits that the verse exhibits Jesus' foretelling his death and how the Jewish leaders will seek the Messiah but not find Him, as they refuse to accept Jesus as the Christ.

John 7

John 7

What does John 7:36 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 7:36 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?