Intro
This is an incomplete post. I know that logically, I should break this down into small, manageable chunks. Not gonna happen. I should use proper English. Ha! I should develop themes and ideas more fully. That may happen, later. This is just getting what I’m reading, and the thoughts that occur to me through study of the Word of God, someplace where it can be read in the future.
John 7.2
feast of tabernacles
(John 7:2 [KJV]) Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
Another evidence that John's Gospel is written to the Gentiles. John defines the feast of tabernacles as belonging to the Jews.
John 7. 8-10
(John 7:8 [KJV]) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. (John 7:9 [KJV]) When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. (John 7:10 [KJV]) But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
yet
Jesus was truthful. He did not say that He was not going to the Feast. He said, "...not up yet..."
John 7.7, 14-19
(John 7:7 [KJV])The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
(John 7:14 [KJV]) Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (John 7:15 [KJV]) And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (John 7:16 [KJV]) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:17 [KJV]) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:18 [KJV]) He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousnes is in him. (John 7:19 [KJV]) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
Stretching a bit?
vss 14-19 connected with verse 7?
Testify, Taught, Doctrine, True, the Law
In the LORD's case, what Jesus testifies (v7):
- is what He taught,
- What he taught, is His doctrine (v17),
- His doctrine is true, or we could say, his doctrine is truth,
-
and the truth is, "none of you keepeth the law."
For us, the phrase should read, "none of us keepeth the law." Hence, the discourse with Nicodemus in John 3 is so important for us. We do not keep the law, therefore God sent His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Jn 3.16)
Bible as Commentary, Bible as Dictionary
What is doctrine?
Doctrine is taught. Could also mean, in this context, that which is testified. In God's case, the doctrine, the teachings of Christ are righteousness and truth. That is why in HIM, alone, is LIFE.
Cross-reference the following:
* John 3.1-21
* John 11.1-44, note esp John 11.21-27
John 7.19, 22
(John 7:19 [KJV]) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
(John 7:22 [KJV]) 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.
Moses and the Law
JESUS already had to know how the conversation was going to go, yet He patiently waits for the right moment to bring the law back. He first mentions Moses and the law in v19. The Jews interject their question, but Jesus does not answer that question. The answer would be plain to all soon enough, and it was already in the hearts of those who were making their plans against Him.
So, instead of directly answering the sideways question, He refers back to the main point, of Moses and the law. He brings the discussion back on them. JESUS, Who created the Sabbath in the first place, points out that they keep the law on the Sabbath day, even to the point of performing circumcision: an outward expression of their being God's people. Yet, Jesus notes in v23, that the healing of a man made them angry. They were angry that the LORD Himself did good, on the Sabbath.
(John 7:23 [KJV]) 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?
John 7.20
(John 7:20 [KJV]) The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
It is a dangerous thing to equate JESUS with being in cahoots with the devil!
Questions by the People
From how I'm reading this, seems to be questions by the common people, not necessarily those in leadership or of the Pharisees, though, the Pharisees were privy to the questions being asked by these folk.
(John 7:25 [KJV]) Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
(John 7:26 [KJV]) But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
(John 7:31 [KJV]) And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
(John 7:35 [KJV]) Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
(John 7:36 [KJV]) What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
(John 7:41 [KJV]) Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
(John 7:42 [KJV]) Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
Questions by the Pharisees
(John 7:45 [KJV]) Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
(John 7:47 [KJV]) Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
(John 7:48 [KJV]) Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
Nicodemus had believed on Christ, or was on his way there. Hence, his questions perturbed the rest of the Pharisees! Nicodemus brought an imbalance to the united Pharisaical front against Christ.
(John 7:50 [KJV]) Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
(John 7:51 [KJV]) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
(John 7:52 [KJV]) They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
