John 7:25-44
Q.1. Why were the Jews confused about where Jesus came from? How did Jesus answer this question of His origin? (Jn.7:25-31, 40-44)
The Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles (see Jn.7:2) were devout and reasonably taught. However, without the technology that we take for granted, some thought that the Jewish leaders must have changed their minds about killing Him and were now acclaiming Him as the promised Messiah (see Jn.7:25-26). They knew that Christ should be born in Bethlehem (Jn.7:42 c.f. Mic.5:2). Jesus was a Galilean and would have had a Galilean accent (see Mt.26:73), so many would not accept His claims. However, Jesus countered – 28 … You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29 I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me (Jn.7:28-29). He had stunned them with His teaching – …How has this man become learned, having never been educated? (Jn.7:15). John recorded that – Many in the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?” (Jn.7:31). His teaching and His miraculous signs should have left the people in no doubt, notwithstanding their lack of information about His birth.
Q.2. How did Jesus answer the Temple guards who were sent by the chief priests and Pharisees? What did the Jews make of His predictions? (Jn.7:32-36)
The chief priests and Pharisees had sent the temple guards to put a stop to the influence of Jeus on the crowds (see Jn.7:32). However, it confused the people, when they heard Him say – 33 … For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come (Jn.7:33-34). They did not understand that Jesus was alluding to His looming death and resurrection from the dead. The leaders were outraged by Jesus’ claims and wanted to get rid of Him – they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come (Jn.7.:30 & 32). Those who claimed to represent God had no qualms about breaking the Law by committing murder, even though He was the One claiming to be their Messiah. On the other hand, the people could only try to find a human explanation. They could not grasp the divine message that He was giving (see Jn.7:33-36).
Q.3. What did Jesus offer the crowds at the feast? When would His promise be realized? What does this tell us about the ministry of the Spirit before and after His ascension? (Jn.7:37-39)
Sinners will never be satisfied until hostilities are ended, and we are reconciled to God. Jesus offers this quenching of our thirst, by bestowing the indwelling Holy Spirit – 37 … “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being rivers of living water will flow.'” (Jn.7:37-38). This is in line with the promise of the New Covenant to God’s people (see Ezk.36:24-27; Zech.12:10; 13:1). However, this promise could not be fulfilled until Christ had completed His atoning work on the cross and had ascended to Heaven. Then, on the Day of Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on the Church (see Jn.14:18, 23; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4). We must distinguish between the activity of the disciples before, and then after Pentecost for – But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn.7:39).
Q.4. How had Jesus heightened their curiosity about His Messiahship? On what basis did the people reject Christ’s claims?
It is clear that Jesus had spoken with such authority that some of the people concluded – 40 “This certainly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ” … (Jn.7:40). Some at least grasped that the Promised One had to fulfill the prophecies of Scripture and dismissed Jesus saying – 41 … “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?” 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” (Jn.7:41-42). Sadly, they were ignorant about His lineage and birth in Bethlehem.