The Gospel of John The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John Confusion and Conflict (John 7: 1 -52)

Confusion of the Multitude (John 7: 1 -52) Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles (7: 1 -15) • Jesus focused His ministry in Galilee because the Jews • • • of Judea sought to kill Him (7: 1; cf. 5: 16). The Feast of Tabernacles was at hand (7: 2). * Jesus’ unbelieving brothers dare Him to go to the Feast and show Himself to the world (7: 4 -5). Jesus explains that it is not the right time for Him to go to the Feast. • Going openly at the beginning would have focused the Jews’ attention and hatred on Him because He condemned their evil works (7: 6 -8). • Amidst much speculation, Jesus goes to the Feast later in secret and teaches publicly in the temple (7: 9 -14).

Confusion of the Multitude (John 7: 1 -52) Jesus responds to the reactions to His teaching (7: 15 -24) • The Jews marvel at His knowledge (7: 15 -18). • Jesus explains: His teaching is from God. • If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know the true source of Jesus’ words. • One who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but Jesus is speaking God’s truth to glorify God. • Jesus asks why the lawbreaking Jews seek to kill Him (7: 19 -24). • The people think He’s crazy: “Who is seeking to kill you? ” • Jesus notes that although the Jews circumcised on the Sabbath they judged Him for healing on the Sabbath. • Jesus admonishes: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. ”

Confusion of the Multitude (John 7: 1 -52) The people have conflicting opinions (7: 25 -31) • If Jesus is the one whom the rulers seek to kill, why don’t they confront Him? Do they really know He is the Christ (7: 25 -26; cf. 1 Cor. 2: 7 -8)? • Some claim to know where this man is from, but they say that no one knows where Christ is from (7: 27 -30). • Jesus challenges this perception: They know (or should know) that He is from the Father! • Some sought to arrest/assault Jesus for making this claim, but His time had not yet come. • “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done? ’” (John 7: 31)

Confusion of the Multitude (John 7: 1 -52) Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus as He Teaches (7: 32 -39) • The Jewish leaders send officers to arrest Jesus (7: 32). • Jesus tells them that His time with them is brief; He will soon go where they cannot come (7: 33 -36). • Later, on the great last day of the Feast, He pleads with the multitudes to come to Him for living water. • The eighth or last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was distinguished for its sacred assembly (Numbers 29: 35). • The “living water” is a reference to the Holy Spirit that believers would receive (7: 37 -39; Acts 5: 32; 2 Corinthians 1: 21 -22; 5: 4 -5).

Confusion of the Multitude (John 7: 1 -52) Confusion and Contention Persists (7: 40 -52) • Is this “the Prophet” or “the Christ? ” (7: 40 -44) • The question, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? ” reveals a lack of knowledge concerning Jesus’ life AND the Scriptures (cp. Micah 5: 2; Isaiah 9: 1 -2, 6 -7). • The Jewish leaders are frustrated… • With the officers who failed to arrest Jesus because “No man ever spoke like this Man” (7: 46 -47). • With the people whom the leaders view as ignorant of the Law and accursed (7: 48 -49). • With Nicodemus who asks if it was lawful to judge a man before hearing him (7: 50 -52). • The Jews defend their failure to give due process, asserting that “no prophet has arisen of Galilee” (cf. 2 Kings 14: 25).

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