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 7:5 mean?

Explanation

John 7:5 states, "For neither did his brethren believe in him." In this verse, "his brethren" refers to the biological brothers of Jesus, the children of Mary and Joseph.

This passage highlights a moment of family skepticism concerning Jesus' identity as the Messiah and his divine mission.

The immediate context of the verse comes from a conversation where Jesus' brothers urge Him to go to Judea to perform miracles publicly during a feast, possibly revealing a misunderstanding of His mission or a sarcastic challenge to His claims.

The verse points to the broader theme that even those closest to Jesus, his family members, did not initially believe in His divine nature or His role as the promised Savior.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 7:5 is situated in the context of the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles, a significant religious event that took place in Jerusalem.

This festival was one of three major Jewish feasts where Jewish males were required to appear before the Lord in the temple.

During Jesus' time, this feast provided an opportunity for teaching and gathering large crowds.

Despite His brothers' knowledge of Jesus' earlier miracles and teachings, their disbelief indicates the difficulty many during that time had in accepting Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

Theological Insights

The verse presents several theological insights from different viewpoints:

Incarnation: It reflects the reality of Jesus' full humanity, in which He participated in genuine human relationships and experienced rejection, even from His family.
Faith and Unbelief: It exemplifies the pervasive theme of belief and unbelief in John's Gospel. John often contrasts those who believe in Jesus with those who do not.
Divine Timetable: Jesus' response to His brothers in the surrounding passages suggests that He operates on a divine timetable ("My time is not yet come"), which emphasizes divine sovereignty in the unfolding of salvation history.

Practical Applications

The key takeaway from John 7:5 could be that belief in Jesus may not always come immediately, even among those who know us best. In practical terms, this means:

Patience in Witnessing: Christians should be patient and persistent in their witness, understanding that belief can take time to develop.
Hope for Family Members: This verse provides comfort that even Jesus faced disbelief among His relatives, giving hope to believers that their family members may eventually come to faith.

Cross-References

Mark 3:21 – "And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself."
Matthew 13:57 – "And they were offended in him.

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."

1 Corinthians 1:23 – "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "brethren" (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi) is used, which can mean both biological brothers or a broader sense of kinship or fellowship among people.

The verb "believe" (πιστεύω - pisteuō) carries a strong connotation of placing one's trust and faith into someone or something, suggesting that Jesus' brothers were not ready to commit themselves to the belief that He was the Messiah.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient myths and religions, the disbelief or rejection by one's family or community is a common theme, often employed to underscore the hero's eventual triumph over adversity and doubt.

Similar motifs exist in Greek mythology with figures like Heracles whose divine nature was often questioned by those around him.

Scientific Perspectives

The passage does not engage with scientific perspectives directly; however, the question of belief in religious or miraculous claims does.

From a scientific viewpoint, belief can be considered through the lens of psychology, sociology, or anthropology, examining why and how people come or do not come to hold certain religious beliefs.

Commentaries

There is a variety of commentaries on John 7:5:

Matthew Henry's Commentary suggests that Jesus' brethren were, at this point, unbelieving, and possibly sought to advance their own esteem through Jesus' miracles rather than understanding His spiritual mission.
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series indicates that the disbelief of Jesus' family is another example of John’s emphasis on "belief" as a central theme of his Gospel.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary proposes that their unbelief, though painful, was used by God in His providential unfolding of redemptive history and it serves to highlight the unexpected ways God advances His kingdom.

John 7

John 7

What does John 7:5 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 7:5 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?