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In this lesson:
Six months have passed since chapter six (lesson 179). Jesus in Galilee. The Feast of Tabernacles. Between this lesson and verse 12:12 (lesson 195), John concentrates on Jesus' trip to Calvary and crucifixion. Because Jesus traveled through Perea and Judea on His way to Jerusalem, many Bible scholars refer to this as the Perean - Judean Ministry, which took about four months. Matthew covers this ministry in 19:1-20:34 (lessons 37 and 38), Mark in 10:1-52 (lessons 83, 84, and 85), and Luke in 9:51-19:27 (lessons 127-148). Study Tip: To apply a passage into your life, ask yourself these questions. Does the passage teach me something? Does it warn me of something to avoid? What difference would it make in my life? |
The Temple in Jerusalem, as it looked in Jesus' day.
By an unknown artist |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 7:1-24
The Feast of Tabernacles 1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. |
Margin notes:
"He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." (7:1) - "He would not go to Judea because the Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill Him (John 5:18; 7:19; 8:37; 8:40; 11:53)." "Feast of Tabernacles." (7:2) - The Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a seven- day feast (Ezekiel 45:25) held each October at harvest time (Exodus 23:16). It was held on the "fifteenth day of this seventh month" of the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 23:34) and celebrated a bountiful crop and gave thanks to God for helping the Jews as they wandered forty years in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). It was the third of the annual Jewish festivals (2 Chronicles 8:13) and was also called the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16; 34:22) because it was held after the harvest. It was such a notable holiday it was sometimes called simply "the Feast" (2 Chronicles 5:3) or "the festival" (1 Kings 8:2). "Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." (7:7) - The world hates Jesus because He sheds light on its wicked ways. Evil prefers darkness over light (John 3:19). "He abode still in Galilee." *(7:9) - "He stayed in Galilee." "Then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret." (7:10) - Knowing that His life was in danger, Jesus secretly went to the Feast in Jerusalem. In six months, Jesus will revisit Jerusalem, and He will be crucified. "The Jews sought him." (7:11) - "The Jewish religious leaders searched for Him." "Some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay." (7:12) - Opinions about Jesus haven't changed in two thousand years; some believe, some still don't. "Howbeit." (7:13) - "However." "The Jews marvelled." (7:15) - People were frequently astonished by Jesus (Matthew 7:28; 13:54; Mark 10:24; Luke 2:47; 4:32) or marveled at Him (Matthew 8:27; 9:8). Why? Read John 7:46. "Having never learned." (7:15) - The Jewish leaders knew that Jesus had never studied under a rabbi, yet He amazed the crowd with His knowledge. "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (7:16) - "My teaching doesn't come from me, but from God (John 8:26; 8:40; 12:49)." "No unrighteousness is in him." (7:18) -"No guilt is in him." "Did not Moses give you the law." (7:19) - Moses gave the Mosaic Law (The Ten Commandments) given to him by God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-32) to the Hebrews. "Why go ye about to kill me?" (7:19) - See Matthew 12:14. "I have done one work, and ye all marvel." (7:21) - Jesus is referring to the miracle of curing the diseased man at the pool of Bethsaida in Jerusalem (John 5:1-8). "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the Fathers)." (7:22) - See Genesis 17:10-13 and Leviticus 12:3. "Are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?" (7:23) - "Are you angry with me because I made a man well on the Sabbath?" "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (7:24) - Make an effort to get to know others. You never know how God will use them in your life. See Isaiah 11:3-4. Additional Note: To be righteous is to be "in the right" or "not guilty" before God. From faith comes righteousness; from righteousness, comes salvation. |
New Living Translation
John 7:1-24
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.
2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,
3 and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!
4 You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!"
5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.
7 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
8 You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come."
9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.
11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.
12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."
13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.
15 The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.
17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me."
20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?"
21 Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.
22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)
23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?
24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus and His Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.
2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,
3 and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!
4 You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!"
5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6 Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.
7 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
8 You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come."
9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple
10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.
11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.
12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."
13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.
15 The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.
16 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.
17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me."
20 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?"
21 Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.
22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)
23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?
24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." (7:1)
"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (7:16)
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (7:24)
"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (7:16)
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (7:24)
Today's Question:
1. Why didn't people speak up for Jesus? (7:13)
To learn more about Scripture, explore your Bible every day. These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. People didn't speak up for Jesus out of fear. Many in Jerusalem knew that the Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus (John 7:25), and it took a brave person to align themselves with Jesus and against the Pharisees. The Jewish religious leaders had great power and threatened to ban Jesus' supporters from the synagogue (John 9:22). Banishment from the synagogue meant embarrassment and social isolation that could lead to a family's economic ruin. Any discussion of Christ was done quietly (7:13).
Today, we don't have to fear banishment, economic sanctions, imprisonment, or death for believing in Christ. Yet, many still hesitate to speak up for Jesus.
Application thought for the day:
If you want to know the will of God, ask Him to open your heart to His teachings (7:17).
1. Why didn't people speak up for Jesus? (7:13)
To learn more about Scripture, explore your Bible every day. These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. People didn't speak up for Jesus out of fear. Many in Jerusalem knew that the Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus (John 7:25), and it took a brave person to align themselves with Jesus and against the Pharisees. The Jewish religious leaders had great power and threatened to ban Jesus' supporters from the synagogue (John 9:22). Banishment from the synagogue meant embarrassment and social isolation that could lead to a family's economic ruin. Any discussion of Christ was done quietly (7:13).
Today, we don't have to fear banishment, economic sanctions, imprisonment, or death for believing in Christ. Yet, many still hesitate to speak up for Jesus.
Application thought for the day:
If you want to know the will of God, ask Him to open your heart to His teachings (7:17).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke