John 7
http://ramblingfisherman.com/home/page/9/ Bonnie’s notes on DR. DAVE’S COMMENTS
Background info that will enlighten our understanding: An important event found in this chapter is the Feast of Tabernacles. There were three feasts that all Jewish males were to attend if possible and this is one of them. The other two were Passover and the Feast of Weeks.
The Feast of Tabernacles is described in Lev. 23:29-43. It is a thanksgiving feast to celebrate and acknowledge God’s provision for his people especially during the wandering in the wilderness. It was a happy and joyous time and occurred in early fall. The people were to build booths from tree boughs and dwell in them for 7 days. This was to commemorate God leading them out of the land of Egypt and their captivity.
Another part of the feast consisted in carrying water in golden vessels from the pool of Siloam which was then poured out in the presence of assembled worshippers in the Temple. This was done every day for 7 days while chanting parts of the Great Hallel (Psalm 115-118). The symbolism was twofold. God had supplied their need for water during the entire 40 years In the wilderness—a physical provision. Secondly, God had made promises in Ezekiel, Joel, and Zechariah that there would come a day when rivers of water should revitalize the desert land—a spiritual significance–and there would be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28) still to come in the future. On the last day there was no procession of the priests, no carrying of the golden vessels of water; and the omission was as significant as the observation of the bringing of the water had been. It was to show that (1) there was no need for supernatural supply of water anymore because they were no longer in the wilderness but in the land that was promised and (2) that the great promises of spiritual refreshment had not yet been fulfilled. [Have you seen pictures of the Holy Land today? You would certainly not call it a land of milk and honey. The ravishes of many years of abuse have turned it into a desert. Modern Israelis have worked hard to make some of it productive again but it will be utterly transformed when the Lord does His work on it in the future.]
(Bible Truth Website) For seven days they were to live in these booths as a vivid reminder of the days in the wilderness living in tents. Further when they came to the Temple they would be carrying an etrog, which was a citrus fruit, which symbolized the fruit of the Promised Land. The Jews also used a lulav, which was made of the branches of palm trees, myrtles and willows tied together with a golden thread. During the celebration in the Temple these lulav would be waved at certain times during the service.
While standing, the person picks up the lulav holding it so that its spine is toward them. The etrog is picked up in the left hand, next to the lulav, with its tip (pitom) pointing down. The blessings are said: “Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and instructed us concerning the waving of the palm branch.” Then the shehekeyanu is said: “Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, for keeping us in life, for sustaining us, and for helping us reach this day.” The etrog is then turned right side up and shaken with the lulav. Each day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people in the Temple courtyard would hold their lulavs and make a circular procession around the altar. During the procession they would pray a prayer that came to be known as Hoshanos. It is a prayer for God’s blessing, ending each phrase of the prayer with the word hoshana (“Please save” or “save now!”). On the first six days they would march around the altar one time. On the seventh day they marched around it seven times. Traditionally, Psalm 27 is recited at the service of the Feast of Tabernacles. Bible prophecy tells us that people from the nations of the world will come up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with the Jewish people in Jerusalem. (This will be in the millennium.)
This last day was called the “Day of the Great Hosanan” (Hoshannah Rabbah). The word “Hoshannah” means to “save now” (Psalm 118:25-Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord)) and applied to the feast became “Hosanna” which looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. (The original prayer from the Psalms eventually became Hosanna meaning an exclamation of praise and asking for God’s blessing. It was transliterated into the KJV — meaning literal matching of a Hebrew letter with a corresponding English letter.)
This makes the event of Jesus entering the city in what is called the ‘Triumphant Entry” come alive for us as we understand its significance. John records in John 12:13 that as Jesus entered Jerusalem the people “ Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” They were crying “Save us, Son of David.” Matthew 21:15 records the chief priest and scribes became gravely upset because this greeting and prayer was reserved only for the coming of the Messiah. Mark records that the people also cried “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” (Mark 11:10).
With this information in hand, we can look at John Chapter 7.
Events here are approximately 6 months after chapter 6 and about 6 months before the cross. Jesus is in Galilee north of Jerusalem, but He wouldn’t go to Judea because they sought to kill Him. It wasn’t His time. The people never killed Jesus anyway because He laid His life down willingly as the sacrifice required by God. The Feast of Tabernacles was to be celebrated, one of the obligatory feasts for all Jewish men to attend. It celebrates the Exodus and living in temporary tents in the wilderness when God made provision for them.
v.3 — Jesus’ brothers are going to Jerusalem to the feast. They are not “of His” because they say “thy” disciples. They had been with Jesus in Cana at the wedding and when His mother came to seek Him and He said, “Who is my mother and my brethren?” They might have been trying to get him to give up His work and go home. Now they seem to be urging Him to go to the feast and show His work if it’s all that important. II Cor. 5:7 The Jews were looking for signs and walking by sight, but Christians walk by faith. At this time He’s been away from Judea for about 18 months.
v.4 — The half brothers challenge Him to be more public, but this is really not the way He has chosen to work at this time. His mode is to be training His disciples. His fame grew because of His great compassion on the people and so He healed them and taught them. However, His primary work was to do the bidding of the Father, train the twelve, and prepare for the cross. His brothers say, “If thou do these things . . .” Does that remind you of anyone else? How about when Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness? Mt. 4:3 It’s almost implied when Satan says to Eve (If you do this thing) you won’t surely die . . .
v. 5 — Clear confirmation that His brothers don’t believe yet. They will later for the books of James and Jude are His (half) brothers writing as believers.
v.6 — Jesus knew the timing but his brothers were always ready to get along with the world because they belonged to it. As we watch Jesus’ ministry, we see that He picks and chooses when to interact with people. We can do that too when we witness to others. We must be careful not to let people waste our time while witnessing, but make sure we deliver the proper message and then move on if there is no interest.
v.7 — the world hates Jesus because He testifies that it is sinful. Those in the world didn’t hate his brothers because they were worldly too. When we carry the message to people they still hate the ideas because most people want to make their own decisions and enjoy their sin.
v.8 — the NASV leaves out the word “yet” here and so makes Jesus a liar because He does go up to the feast later.
v.9,10 — Why in secret? He wants to determine the time to talk to the people. His brothers just think He isn’t ready to leave yet. Jesus says His coming brings division to the world, which is unified under Satan. Others in our day accuse us of being divisive in how we adhere to Scripture. In the last 50 years, the debate has escalated because of the modern versions. They accuse their enemy of what they themselves are guilty of for they cause much confusion, while Biblicists try to stick to the Word as their foundation. No doubt the Jewish leadership was looking for Jesus thinking it likely that He would attend this feast. If He showed up, they were ready to confront Him. It was common for people going to Jerusalem to travel in large caravans so perhaps Jesus took a different, more quiet route through Samaria to arrive unnoticed.
v. 13 — The word “man” here does not include the disciples. The crowds had people in them that were aware of Jesus already and they buzzed about Him — some with favor and others thinking Him a great deceiver. Open discussion was probably not an issue because the people feared the power of the leadership.
v. 14,15 — What snobbery! Jesus wasn’t educated in either of the two main schools of Jerusalem so how could he debate so well about the theological issues of the day? People in our day aren’t any better. Knowledge of the Bible is the point, so don’t be intimidated by others who have lots of credentials. Read to make yourself knowledgeable on the important issues of the day. Morgan talks about how thankful we can be that Jesus did appeal to the literate and highly educated in His manner of speaking like a learned man. This made everyone sit up and take notice. We can almost hear them, “Really, this is most remarkable! This young fellow never went to Harvard (or BJU or Hyles-Anderson, etc.), but he seems to have the profundity of the scholars.” While they marveled at His delivery, we wonder if they sometimes missed the spiritual intent and moral value of what He taught.
v. 16,17 — A refutation of Calvinism—if any man will do His will. We can know doctrine because Jesus tells us we can and how. If we want to understand God, we must do His will. There’s plenty of explanation of what that is in the Scripture itself.
v.18 — If you are speaking of someone else and his glory you will not be speaking of yourself and, therefore, your credibility is greater. The opposite of this would be the TV preachers that laud themselves. We are to be ambassadors of Him. That means we take our instruction from Him and represent Him to the world.
v.19,20 — Their law says thou shalt not kill. He camps on their biggest sin. Many people knew the leadership was out to get Jesus, but would be careful about voicing it too loudly. They must have been amazed at His public speaking knowing that the leaders hated Him. There were many outsiders in Jerusalem at this feast who may not have known about Jesus’ earlier encounter with the rabbinical leaders, so to them this all sounds crazy. This may be what they mean when they accuse Him of having a devil. He had done one work of healing a man on the Sabbath, but they were regularly inconsistent.
v.21-24 — He accuses them of anger and that equals murder. The example of performing circumcision on the Sabbath violates their own laws yet they do it anyway (their law said no work was to be done on the Sabbath, yet the law of Moses said a baby had to be circumcised on the 8th day, and if that fell on the Sabbath, they performed the circumcision, thereby showing their own inconsistency of the rabbinical Jewish leaders.) They make up rules, but also exceptions. They had broken the law to keep the law. Jesus had healed a man, they had performed surgery. Why should they be offended when He made a man whole? Jesus later says in Scripture that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Here is an example of presuppositional apologetics. Jesus is arguing from the position that the Old Testament is true and the leaders believe so as well. They both have a common foundation. However, He also points out that their behavior in some ways is not consistent with that foundational belief. He tells them where they disagree and where they have stepped out of bounds. If they are really truthful, they would realize that they are wrong and not following the Word, and understand why He has a disagreement with them. We can use this technique when talking to people as well. Establish that we will be discussing things from the Biblical perspective and then challenge their beliefs that don’t line up with the Bible.
v. 25-27 — No secrets here! Notice that Jesus speaks boldly, not like the “sweet, loving” Savior a lot of people like to throw in our faces who would never judge harshly or be blunt with people. He is God in the flesh and speaks with authority. The people were puzzled. Isn’t this the man the leaders want? Are they not arresting him because they think he’s the Christ? Sorenson suggests this tone was like a modern “Yeah, right!” Their comment about not knowing the Christ may come from ignorance of the Scripture. There are several Old Testament passages clearly defining the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2) and what his background is — Isaiah 9:1-6. Morgan says the rabbis were teaching at this time that the Messiah would appear suddenly and no one would know where he came from. These contemporaries of Jesus could easily have found out His birthplace.
v. 28 — Jesus called out LOUDLY! He is accusing them of not being believers. He is telling them they are lost just like we must do. What good does the gospel do if a person does not understand his position before God — a sinner worthy of judgment? He is street preaching here! The most important thing we can tell people is that they are lost and need a Savior. Jesus made clear that (1)He came not for His own purpose but that of the Father, (2) He who sent Him was true — God the Father, and sadly, (3) the Jews did not know Him. Jn 17:3
v. 30 — This is clarity! They hated His message.
v. 31 — Many believed. When the Old Testament prophets did miracles, they never claimed to be the Messiah. Jesus clearly stated it on several occasions.
v. 32 — Satan’s first choice in dealing with the Lord’s work is violence. He loves to stir people up to act foolishly and irrationally. He prefers control and despotism. Secondly, he will use other seemingly innocent tactics like ecumenism, post modernism, New Age, and the proliferation of heresies.
v. 33,34 — When He ascends, He won’t be found. Jesus will soon be going to the Father and they will not see Him. Naturally the only way to eventually come to Him is through repentance and faith.
v. 35 — A good question! This was not the task of Jesus himself, but Paul and the Apostles took the gospel to all of the known world in their time.
v. 37,38 — (Now we get to the climax!) He waits for the last day of the feast. There is not a procession of bringing water from the pool of Siloam on this day because the feast remembers that the fullness of revitalization and the coming of the Holy Spirit in God’s people has not yet come. Jesus stood up as a herald and cried out His invitation as the living water. His timing is impeccable! And deliberate! When the people are looking forward to the blessing of God and new life, He offers it to them! Is. 44:3 Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit (v. 39 in Jn. 7) Is. 58:11 (thou shalt be like a spring of water) Remember the woman at the well (Jn. 4) Ezk. 47:1 — looking at the New Jerusalem on earth. Of course, Jesus is speaking spiritually here, not literally. When we get this living water that only Christ can offer, we can offer it to others and so the water continues to flow out and the gospel spreads and fruit is produced. Verse 38 is the great commission, is it not? Life flows from the Lord to us to others through Him and us.
v. 39 — Jesus is glorified at His resurrection. John knows that the Holy Spirit was introduced into the world and the believers at Pentecost. Of course Christ existed before, but at Pentecost His ministry is greatly expanded into the believers and the world. We see the Trinity here in verses 37-39.
v.40-43 — Here is confusion due to ignorance. They believe based on what they want. Jesus’ message is strong, but not everyone wants to give up his sin, so if they don’t want to believe He is the Messiah, they will reject Him. They knew he came from Galilee, but they don’t seem to be familiar with the prophecies in Isaiah and Micah. If any one of these people really wanted to know His background they could have found it out because, as we know, He was born in Bethlehem (David’s city) as prophesied so long ago. Similarly, if people really want to know the truth, they will go to great effort to find it.
v. 44-45 — The officers were sent to take Him while the council waited, but they didn’t have the heart to bring Him. They really can’t think of any more to say other than no one has ever spoken like Him. His boldness and authority must have really impressed them. Again, it wasn’t Jesus’ time to be taken so no action occurred.
v. 47-48 — Who is accountable? They that know more. The Pharisees ask the officers if they have believed Jesus. “We don’t believe him so why should you?” The natural tendency is to believe the big shots, not Jesus. Luke 12:51-53 says Jesus comes to cause division.
v. 49 — “this people” means the common folk, of whom the Pharisees are sometimes disdainful.
v.51 — This is fair but timid. Nicodemus may have a converted mind by this time but he won’t be bold about testifying. He does remind them of the law and to be careful in judgment.
v. 52 — Either the Pharisees here are showing disdain or great ignorance because Jonah, Amos, Nahum, and other prophets came from Galilee.
~~Bonnie