John 7:9

he abode still in Galilee This in conjunction with John 7:1 shews that S. John is quite aware that Galilee is the main scene of Christ's ministry, as the Synoptists represent. The gaps in his narrative leave ample room for the Galilean ministry.

This opening scene (1 9) "is described by M. Renan as a -gem of history" (un petit trésor historique). He argues justly that an apologist, writing merely ad probandum; would not have given so much prominence to the unbelief which Jesus met with in His own family. He insists, too, on the individualising traits which the whole section bears. The brethren of Jesus are not -types" but living men; their ill-natured and jealous irony is only too human." S. pp. 144, 145.