What does John 7:8 mean?

Explanation

John 7:8 presents a moment where Jesus is speaking to His brothers about attending the Feast of Tabernacles.

His response suggests a reluctance to go, underscored by the phrase "I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come." This can be understood literally as Jesus choosing to remain behind while His family travels to Jerusalem for the festival.

On a deeper level, Jesus is referring to His divine timetable and mission on earth.

The phrase "my time" is interpreted as the appointed time for Him to make Himself known as the Messiah and ultimately to be crucified.

Thus, the verse conveys Jesus's awareness of and submission to this divine timetable.

Historical Context

The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot in Hebrew, was one of the three great Jewish pilgrimage feasts. It commemorated the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites and celebrated the harvest.

It was customary for Jewish people to travel to Jerusalem to observe this feast.

The historical context of this verse is significant because Jesus's public ministry was reaching a critical point.

He faced increasing opposition from religious leaders, and His movements were of great interest and consequence, not just to His followers but also to those who opposed Him.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations of this verse revolve around the idea of Jesus's divine timing.

Some theologians suggest that Jesus's statement reflects His omniscience and omnipotence as He operates within a divine schedule only He knows.

Others view it as an indication of Jesus's obedience to God the Father's will, showing His perfect alignment with the divine plan for salvation.

There is also a focus on the idea of "kairos" (Greek for 'the right, critical, or opportune moment') within this verse, symbolizing the fulfillment of prophecy and the culmination of God's redemptive history.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a reminder for believers to understand and respect divine timing in their lives.

Just as Jesus recognized the right time for His actions, so should individuals be patient and trust in God's perfect timing rather than rushing ahead with their own plans.

This can apply to decisions about career, relationships, and faith-based endeavors.

The verse encourages discernment and patience, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal decisions with God's will and timetable.

Cross-References

• Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
• Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"
• John 2:4: "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."
• John 7:30: "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come."

Language Study

The phrase "my time" translates from the Greek "ὁ καιρός μου" (ho kairos mou), with "καιρός" (kairos) signifying an appointed or opportune time, rather than "χρόνος" (chronos), which would imply chronological or sequential time.

This distinction is important as it infers a specific, divinely ordained moment rather than a general timeline.

Jesus’s use of "not yet" (οὔπω, oupō) indicates that there is a specific moment yet to come, implying its future certainty.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within other religious traditions, there is often a concept of divinely ordained moments or times.

For example, in Islam, there is the concept of "Qadar," which is the divine decree and predestination.

In many ways, this is similar to the Christian understanding of God's providence and timing.

In the broader Greco-Roman world, fate and destiny played significant roles, though these were often depicted as impersonal forces rather than decisions by a personal deity.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not easily lend itself to scientific discussion as it deals with concepts of divine timing and predestination, which fall outside the purview of empirical science.

Science operates within the framework of measurable time (chronos) and observable phenomena, whereas this verse speaks to theological and existential dimensions of time (kairos).

Commentaries

Various commentaries approach this verse with insights regarding Jesus’s knowledge of human affairs and divine schedule.

Some, like the MacArthur Study Bible Commentary, emphasize Jesus’s perfect submission and obedience to God's plan.

The Matthew Henry Commentary highlights Jesus’s wisdom in dealing with His brothers who did not believe in Him at the time.

It also notes Jesus's concern about going to Jerusalem publicly, given the danger that awaited Him there.

Scholars like Craig Keener in the "IVP Bible Background Commentary" focus on the social and cultural pressures of attending such feasts and Jesus’s awareness of His mission's timing in this context.