AFTER THESE THINGS (μετα ταυτα). John's favourite general note of the order of events. Bernard conceives that the events in John 7:1-14 follow John 7:15-24 and both follow chapter 5, not chapter 6, a wholly needless readjustment of the narrative to suit a preconceived theory. John simply suppleme... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (η σκηνοπηγια). Only New Testament example of this word (σκηνη, tent, πηγνυμ, to fasten as in Hebrews 8:2). Technical name of this feast (Deuteronomy 16:13; Leviticus 23:34; Leviticus 23:43). It began on the 15th of the month Tisri (end of September) and lasted seven days... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS BRETHREN (ο αδελφο αυτου). "His brothers" (half-brothers actually), who "were not believing on him" (ουδε επιστευον εις αυτον) as stated in verse John 7:5. They were hostile to the Messianic assumptions of Jesus, a natural attitude as one can well see, though at first they were friendly (John... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SECRET (εν κρυπτω). See Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6 for this phrase.OPENLY (εν παρρησια). "In public" (παν, ρησις, telling it all). See on Matthew 8:32. Common in John (John 7:13; John 7:26; John 10:24; John 16:25; John 16:29; John 18:20... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVEN HIS BRETHREN DID NOT BELIEVE ON HIM (ουδε γαρ ο αδελφο αυτου επιστευον εις αυτον). Literally, "For not even were his brothers believing on him." Imperfect tense of πιστευω with sad picture of the persistent refusal of the brothers of Jesus to believe in his Messianic assumptions, after th... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TIME IS NOT YET COME (ο καιρος ο εμος ουπω παρεστιν). Only use with verse John 7:8 of καιρος in this Gospel, elsewhere χρονος (John 5:6) or more often ωρα (John 2:4) "the predestined hour" (Bernard). Here καιρος is the fitting or proper occasion for Christ's manifesting himself publicly to the... [ Continue Reading ]
CANNOT HATE (ου δυνατα μισειν). Because of "the law of moral correspondence" (Westcott), often in John for "inherent impossibility" (Vincent). The brothers of Jesus here belong to the unbelieving world (κοσμος) which is unable to love Jesus (John 15:18; John 15:23; John 15:24) and which Jesus had... [ Continue Reading ]
GO YE UP TO THE FEAST (υμεις αναβητε εις την εορτην). The emphatic word by position is υμεις (ye) in contrast with εγω (I). Second aorist active imperative of αναβαινω, old and common verb for going up to the feast (John 2:13) or anywhere. Take your own advice (John 7:3).I GO NOT UP YET (εγω ουπ... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ABODE STILL IN GALILEE (εμεινεν εν τη Γαλιλαια). No "still" (ετ) in the Greek text. The constative aorist active indicative εμεινεν covers a period of some days.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE GONE UP (ανεβησαν). Second aorist active indicative of αναβαινω, not past perfect though the action is antecedent in fact to the following τοτε ανεβη. The Greek does not always draw the precise distinction between the merely punctiliar (aorist) antecedent action and the past perfect (John 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS (ο Ιουδαιο). The hostile leaders in Jerusalem, not the Galilean crowds (John 7:12) nor the populace in Jerusalem (John 7:25).SOUGHT (εζητουν). Imperfect active of ζητεω, "were seeking," picture of the attitude of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus who had not yet appeared in public at the... [ Continue Reading ]
MUCH MURMURING (γογγυσμος πολυς). This Ionic onomatopoetic word is from γογγυζω for which verb see John 6:41; John 6:61; John 7:32, for secret displeasure (Acts 6:1) or querulous discontent (Philippians 2:14).AMONG THE MULTITUDES (εν τοις οχλοις). "The multitudes" literally, plural here only in... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT (μεντο). See John 4:27 for this compound particle (μεν, το), by way of exception, but yet.SPAKE (ελαλε). Imperfect active of λαλεω, "was speaking," picturing the whispering or secret talk ( NO MAN OPENLY , ουδεις παρρησια). Best MSS. do not have εν here with παρρησια (locative or instrum... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN IT WAS NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE FEAST (ηδη δε της εορτης μεσουσης). Literally, "But feast being already midway." Genitive absolute, present active participle, of μεσοω, old verb from μεσος, in LXX, here only in N.T. The feast of tabernacles was originally seven days, but a last day (verse... [ Continue Reading ]
MARVELLED (εθαυμαζον). Picturesque imperfect active of θαυμαζω, "were wondering." After all the bluster of the rulers (verse John 7:13) here was Jesus teaching without interruption.KNOWETH LETTERS (γραμματα οιδεν). Second perfect active indicative used as present. Γραμματα, old word from γραφω,... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE (εμη). Possessive pronoun, "not mine in origin." Jesus denies that he is self-taught, though not a schoolman.BUT HIS THAT SENT ME (αλλα του πεμψαντος με). Genitive case of the articular participle (first aorist active of πεμπω). His teaching is not self-originated nor is it the product of t... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN WILLETH TO DO (εαν τις θελη ποιειν). Condition of third class with εαν and present active subjunctive θελη not used as a mere auxiliary verb for the future "will do," but with full force of θελω, to will, to wish. See the same use of θελω in John 5:40 "and yet ye are not willing to com... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM HIMSELF (αφ' εαυτου). This kind of teacher is self-taught, pushes his own ideas, presses his own claims for position and glory, "blows his own horn" as we say. Jesus is the other type of teacher, seeks the glory of the one who sent him, whose herald and ambassador he is.THE SAME (ουτος). ... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YET (κα). Clear use of κα in the adversative sense of "and yet" or "but." They marvelled at Christ's "ignorance" and boasted of their own knowledge of the law of Moses. And yet they violated that law by not practising it.WHY SEEK YE TO KILL ME? (Τ με ζητειτε αποκτειναι;). A sudden and startl... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MULTITUDE (ο οχλος). Outside of Jerusalem (the Galilean crowd as in verses John 7:11) and so unfamiliar with the effort to kill Jesus recorded in John 5:18. It is important in this chapter to distinguish clearly the several groups like the Jewish leaders (John 7:13; John 7:15; John 7:25; John... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE WORK (εν εργον). Direct allusion to the healing of the impotent man when in Jerusalem before (John 5:1). He had wrought others before (John 2:23; John 4:45), but this one on the Sabbath caused the rulers to try to kill Jesus (John 5:18). Some wondered then, others had murder in their hearts.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE (δια τουτο). Some would take this phrase with the preceding verb θαυμαζετε (ye marvel for this cause).HATH GIVEN (δεδωκεν). Present active indicative of διδωμ (permanent state).NOT THAT IT IS OF MOSES, BUT OF THE FATHERS (ουχ οτ εκ του Μωυσεως εστιν αλλ' εκ των πατερων). A pare... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE LAW OF MOSES MAY NOT BE BROKEN (ινα μη λυθη ο νομος Μωυσεως). Purpose clause with negative μη and first aorist passive subjunctive of λυω. They are punctilious about their Sabbath rules and about circumcision on the eighth day. When they clash, they drop the Sabbath rule and circumcise.A... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO APPEARANCE (κατ' οψιν). And so, superficially. See John 11:44. Also not "righteous" (δικαιαν) judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME THEREFORE OF THEM OF JERUSALEM (ουν τινες εκ των Ιεροσολυμειτων). The people of the city in contrast to the multitude of pilgrims at the feast. They form a separate group. The word is made from Ιεροσολυμα and occurs in Josephus and IV Maccabees. In N.T. only here and Mark 1:5. These Jerusale... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAY NOTHING UNTO HIM (ουδεν αυτο λεγουσιν). But only make sneering comments about him (John 7:16) in spite of his speaking "openly" (παρρησια, for which word see John 7:13; John 18:20) before all. lt was sarcasm about the leaders, though an element of surprise on the part of "these shrewd to... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT (αλλα). Clearly adversative here.THIS MAN (τουτον). Possibly contemptuous use of ουτος as may be true in John 7:25; John 7:26.WHENCE HE IS (ποθεν εστιν). The Galilean Jews knew the family of Jesus (John 6:42), but they knew Jesus only as from Nazareth, not as born in Bethlehem (verse... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I AM NOT COME OF MYSELF (κα απ' εμαυτου ουκ εληλυθα). Κα here="and yet." Jesus repeats the claim of verse John 7:17 and also in John 5:30; John 8:28; John 12:49; John 14:10.WHOM YE KNOW NOT (ον υμεις ουκ οιδατε). Jesus passes by a controversy over the piece of popular theology to point out t... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW HIM (εγω οιδα αυτον). In contrast to the ignorance of these people. See the same words in John 8:55 and the same claim in John 17:25; Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22 (the Johannine aerolite). "These three words contain the unique claim of Jesus, which is pressed all through the Chapter s of cont... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SOUGHT THEREFORE (εζητουν ουν). Imperfect active of ζητεω, inchoative or conative, they began to seek. Either makes sense. The subject is naturally some of the Jerusalemites (Westcott) rather than some of the leaders (Bernard).TO TAKE HIM (αυτον πιασα). First aorist active infinitive, Dori... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE CHRIST SHALL COME (ο Χριστος οταν ελθη). Proleptic position of ο Χριστος again as in John 7:27, but ελθη with οταν rather than ερχητα, calling more attention to the consummation (whenever he does come).WILL HE DO? (μη ποιησει;). Future active indicative of ποιεω with μη (negative answe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEES (ο Φαρισαιο). This group of the Jewish rulers (John 7:11; John 7:15; John 7:25) was particularly hostile to Christ, though already the Sadducees had become critical (Matthew 16:6) and they join here (ο αρχιερεις, the chief priests being Sadducees) in determining to silence Jesus by... [ Continue Reading ]
YET A LITTLE WHILE (ετ χρονον μικρον). Accusative of extent of time. It was only six months to the last passover of Christ's ministry and he knew that the end was near.I GO UNTO HIM THAT SENT ME (υπαγω προς τον πεμψαντα με). See the same words in John 16:5. Hυπαγω, old compound (υπο, αγω), has t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHALL NOT FIND ME (κα ουχ ευρησετε με). Future active indicative of ευρισκω. Jesus had said: "Seek and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7), but this will be too late. Now they were seeking (verse John 7:30) to kill Jesus, then they will seek deliverance, but too late.WHERE I AM (οπου ειμ εγω). No... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THEMSELVES (προς εαυτους). These Jewish leaders of verse John 7:32 talk among themselves about what Jesus said in a spirit of contempt (this man or fellow, ουτος).THAT (οτ). Almost result like οτ in Matthew 8:27.WILL HE GO? (μη μελλε πορευεσθαι;). Negative answer expected in an ironical... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THIS WORD? (Τις εστιν ο λογος ουτοσ;). Puzzled and uneasy over this unintelligible saying. Even Peter is distressed over it later (13:37).... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ON THE LAST DAY (εν δε τη εσχατη ημερα). The eighth day which was "an holy convocation," kept as a Sabbath (Leviticus 33:36), apparently observed as a memorial of the entrance into Canaan, hence "the great day of the feast" (τη μεγαλη της εορτης).STOOD AND CRIED (ιστηκε κα εκρασεν). Past pe... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME (ο πιστευων εις εμε). Nominative absolute as is not uncommon.THE SCRIPTURE (η γραφη). No precise passage can be quoted, though similar idea in several (Isaiah 55:1; Isaiah 58:11; Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1; Joel 3:18). Chrysostom confines it to Isaiah 28... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH (ου). Genitive by attraction of the relative ο (accusative singular object of λαμβανειν) to the case of του πνευματος (the Spirit) the antecedent. But it is purely grammatical gender (neuter ο because of πνευμα) which we do not have in English. Even here one should say "whom," not which, of... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME OF THE MULTITUDE (εκ του οχλου). Τινες (some) to be supplied, a common Greek idiom.OF A TRUTH (αληθως). "Truly." See John 1:47.THE PROPHET (ο προφητης). The one promised to Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) and long expected. See on John John 1:21. Proof of the deep impression made by Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE CHRIST (ουτος εστιν ο Χριστος). These went further and dared to call Jesus the Messiah and not merely the prophet who might not be the Messiah. They said it openly.WHAT (γαρ). These denied that Jesus was the Messiah and gave as their reason (γαρ, for) the fact that he came from Gali... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SCRIPTURE (η γραφη). The reference is to Micah 5:2, the very passage quoted by the chief priests and scribes in response to Herod's inquiry (Matthew 2:6). This ignorance of the fact that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem belongs to the Jews, not to John the author of the Gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
A DIVISION (σχισμα). A clear split. See Matthew 9:16 for the word from σχιζω, to rend. Used again in John 9:16; John 10:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM (ηθελον πιασα αυτον). Imperfect active of θελω and first aorist active infinitive of πιαζω, "were wishing to seize him." See verse John 7:30 for a like impulse and restraint, there επεβαλεν επ' αυτον, here εβαλεν επ' αυτον (simple verb, not compound).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY DID YE NOT BRING HIM? (Δια τ ουκ ηγαγετε αυτον;). Second aorist active indicative of αγω. Indignant outburst of the Sanhedrin (both Sadducees and Pharisees) at the failure of the (τους, note article here referring to verse John 7:32) temple police to arrest Jesus. "Apparently they were sittin... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVER MAN SO SPAKE (ουδεποτε ελαλησεν ουτως ανθρωπος). Police officers are not usually carried away by public speech. They had fallen under the power of Jesus "as the Galilean peasants had been impressed" (Bernard) in verses John 7:28. It was the words of Jesus that had so gripped these officers,... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE YE ALSO LED ASTRAY? (Μη κα υμεις πεπλανησθε;). The Pharisees took the lead in this scornful sneer at the officers. The use of μη formally expects a negative answer as in John 4:29, but the Pharisees really believed it. See also John 6:67. The verb form is perfect passive indicative of πλαναω,... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH ANY OF THE RULERS BELIEVED ON HIM? (Μη τις εκ των αρχοντων επιστευσεν εις αυτον;). Negative answer sharply expected. First aorist active indicative of πιστευω. "Did any one of the rulers believe on him?" "What right have subordinates to have a mind of their own?" (Dods). These police were em... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS MULTITUDE (ο οχλος ουτος). The Pharisees had a scorn for the _amhaaretz_ or "people of the earth" (cf. our "clod-hoppers") as is seen in rabbinic literature. It was some of the οχλος (multitude at the feast especially from Galilee) who had shown sympathy with Jesus (John 7:12; John 7:28).WHI... [ Continue Reading ]
NICODEMUS (Νικοδημος). Not heard from since chapter 3 when he timidly came to Jesus by night. Now he boldly protests against the injustice of condemning Jesus unheard. He appears once more (and only in John) in John 19:39 with Joseph of Arimathea as a secret disciple of Jesus. He is a Pharisee an... [ Continue Reading ]
DOTH OUR LAW JUDGE A MAN? (μη ο νομος ημων κρινε τον ανθρωπον;). Negative answer expected and "the man," not "a man." These exponents of the law (verse John 7:49) were really violating the law of criminal procedure (Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 1:16). Probably Nicodemus knew that his protest was usel... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU ALSO OF GALILEE? (Μη κα συ εκ της Γαλιλαιας ει;). Formally negative answer expected by μη, but really they mean to imply that Nicodemus from local feeling or prejudice has lined himself up with this Galilean mob (οχλος) of sympathizers with Jesus and is like Jesus himself a Galilean. "Th... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse and through John 8:12 (the passage concerning the woman taken in adultery) is certainly not a genuine part of John's Gospel. The oldest and best MSS. (Aleph A B C L W) do not have it. It first appears in Codex Bezae. Some MSS. put it at the close of John's Gospel and some place it in Luke... [ Continue Reading ]