John 7:10-24

The Secret Visit. Soon, however, He receives the Divine intimation, for which He always waits (cf. John 2:4, John 11:6 f.) and goes up secretly. The Jews are discussing Him, and various opinions are expressed, but only in secret from fear of the leaders of the party, who are known to be hostile. When He appears in the Temple and teaches, they are surprised at the power of one who has not been trained in the schools. He replies that His teaching has a higher source, as all will recognise who are willing to obey God's will (cf. Numbers 16:28). The self-sent teacher will betray himself by the selfishness of his aims. Circumcision is allowed to override the law of the Sabbath. Why not, therefore, His healing of the whole man, in consequence of which they are ready to break the law, Thou shalt not kill? The similarity of the argument to the Rabbinical tract Sabbath is strikingif for circumcision, which deals with one member only, the Sabbath must give way, how much more in the case of saving life? Their judgment should be based on something deeper than the mere appearance of law-breaking.