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In this lesson:
Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit (7:37-39). Opinions on Jesus vary, misunderstandings multiply. Study Tip: The Bible can be complex. So, it helps to study more than one translation. As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. |
Bethlehem
By an unknown artist. |
Who was -
Nicodemus -
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish high council, called the Sanhedrin. He secretly visited Jesus in the dead of night, believed He was sent by God (John 3:1-2), defended Him (7:50-51) and was scorned by the other Pharisee's (7:50-54). Later, when Nicodemus wasn't there, the Sanhedrin tried and convicted Jesus of blasphemy. After the crucifixion, when even the disciples had gone into hiding, Nicodemus stayed on Calvary and helped bury our Lord (19:39-40).
Nicodemus -
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the powerful Jewish high council, called the Sanhedrin. He secretly visited Jesus in the dead of night, believed He was sent by God (John 3:1-2), defended Him (7:50-51) and was scorned by the other Pharisee's (7:50-54). Later, when Nicodemus wasn't there, the Sanhedrin tried and convicted Jesus of blasphemy. After the crucifixion, when even the disciples had gone into hiding, Nicodemus stayed on Calvary and helped bury our Lord (19:39-40).
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 7:37-53
"Never man spake like this man." 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. 50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? 52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. [Some ancient Greek manuscripts do not include John 7:53.] 53 And every man went unto his own house. |
Margin notes:
"In the last day." (7:37) - The eighth and final day of the Feast of Tabernacles. "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." (7:37) - Jesus is inviting us to drink from the "water of life" (Revelation 22:17). "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (7:38) - Means, "out of his heart will flow life giving blessings" (Psalm 36:8-9, Isaiah 12:2-3, 44:3-4, 58:11, and Zechariah 14:8). "But this spake he of the Spirit." (7:39) - "But He (Jesus) was speaking of the Holy Spirit." "Jesus was not yet glorified." (7:39) - Jesus was not glorified until He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50-52). "Of a truth this is the Prophet." (7:40) - Jesus is the prophet God promised Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. "Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh.....out of the town of Bethlehem." (7:42) - Bethlehem is a small town in Judea five miles south of Jerusalem on the highway from Hebron to Egypt. Meaning, "bread of life, Bethlehem was originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:19; 48:7). Also called "the city of David" (Luke 2:4), it is the birthplace of Jesus Christ as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Unfortunately, since Jesus was raised in Nazareth, many didn't know He was born in Bethlehem and didn't connect Him with the prophecy. "There was a division among the people." (7:43) - "There was a disagreement in the crowd. "Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?" (7:45) - Remember, in John 7:32 (lesson 181), the Pharisees' and chief priests sent these officers to arrest Jesus. "Never man spake like this man." (7:46) - The officers were mesmerized by Jesus and refused to arrest Him. "He that came to Jesus by night." (7:50) - Nicodemus had secretly visited Jesus in John 3:1-21 (lesson 168). "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him." (7:51) - To do so violated the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 1:16). Read also Proverbs 18:13. "Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." (7:52) - Wrong, the Old Testament prophets Nahum and Jonah were from Galilee. Either the Pharisees didn't know scripture or were lying. "And every man went unto his own house." (7:53) - "And everyone went home." |
New Living Translation
John 7:37-53
Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!
38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"
39 (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting."
41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?
42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born."
43 So the crowd was divided about him.
44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "We have never heard anyone speak like this!" the guards responded.
47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.
48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?
49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.
51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself-no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
[Some ancient Greek manuscripts do not include John 7:53.]
53 Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.
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 Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!
38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"
39 (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
Division and Unbelief
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting."
41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?
42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born."
43 So the crowd was divided about him.
44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46 "We have never heard anyone speak like this!" the guards responded.
47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.
48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?
49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"
50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.
51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself-no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
[Some ancient Greek manuscripts do not include John 7:53.]
53 Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.
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
"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." (7:37)
"Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet." (7:40)
"The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (7:46)
"And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." (24:30-31)
"Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet." (7:40)
"The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (7:46)
"And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." (24:30-31)
Today's Question:
1. Did Jesus make any converts in Jerusalem? (7:40)
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1. Did Jesus make any converts in Jerusalem? (7:40)
Know anyone interested in our free Bible course? Let us know.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Yes, Jesus was gaining converts, and this worried the Pharisees. Every day their authority was challenged by Jesus. People were beginning to doubt the Pharisees and believe that Jesus was the Christ (7:40-41). Even the Temple guards were moved by Jesus (7:46) and refused to arrest Him (7:45). To make matters worse, Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees own, defended Jesus and accused the Sanhedrin of not obeying the Mosaic Law (7:51). So, the Pharisees decided to move against Jesus before they lost their followers and power.
Application thought for the day:
It was well known among Jews that the prophesied Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (7:42).
Since Jesus was raised in Nazareth, many assumed He was born there and couldn't be the Christ.
With a little more information, they would have known the truth, that Jesus fulfilled all the prophesies.
Are you missing any facts that would open your heart to Jesus?
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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