Bible Commentaries
John 7

Verse 1

After these things. See note on John 6:1 . Marking a new subject.

Jesus . See App-98 .

walked = was walking. Greek. peripateo. Compare John 6:18 .

in. Greek. en. App-104 .

Galilee. App-169 .

would not walk = did not desire ( App-102 .) to walk. Note the two verbs.

not. Greek. ou. App-105 .

Jewry. Greek. Ioudaia. In Middle Eng. Jewerie, from the Old French Juierie = "Jewry", a Jews' district. Occurs elsewhere only in Daniel 5:13 .

the Jews, i.e. the hostile party. See note on John 1:19 .

sought = were seeking to kill Him. Thus is introduced the third subject of the Lord's ministry. App-119 .

Verse 2

the Jews' feast. See note on John 2:13 .

of tabernacles = of booths. Not sleaze, as in Septuagint. (Leviticus 23:34 .Deuteronomy 16:13 . 2 Chronicles 8:13 .Ezra 3:4; Ezra 3:4 ); but skenopegia = booth-making, as in Deuteronomy 16:16 ; Deuteronomy 31:10 . Zechariah 14:16 , Zechariah 14:18 , Zechariah 14:19 . Only direct reference to this feast in N.T. See App-179 .

at hand = near.

Verse 3

His brethren . Compare John 2:12 and Mark 3:21 , Mark 3:31 .

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

into . Greek eis. App-104 .

that = in order that. Greek hina.

see = be spectators of. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

works, See note on John 4:34 .

Verse 4

no man = no one. Greek. oudeis (compound of App-105 ).

openly . Greek. parrhesia, literally in plain language.

If. Assuming the fact. App-118 . Not the same word as in verses: John 7:17 , John 7:37 .

shew. Greek. phaneroo. App-106 . Compare John 1:31 ; John 2:11 .

world . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for its inhabitants. See note on John 1:9 , and App-129 .

Verse 5

neither = not even. Greek. oude. App-105 . See note on "And we beheld", &c., John 1:14 .

believe in. App-150 . See note on John 1:12 .

Verse 6

Then = Therefore. Not the same word as in John 7:10 .

time = seasonable moment.

not yet . Greek. oupo. A compound of ou ( App-105 ). The Lord's death was accomplished by Himself. See John 10:17 , John 10:18 . Luke 9:31 . Until that hour (the right hour) came, He was immune (verses: John 7:8 , John 7:30 , John 7:20 ) At length it was "at hand "(Matthew 26:45 ); and came, according to His word (John 12:23 , John 12:27 ; John 13:1 ; John 17:1 . Compare Mark 14:41 ).

your = your own. Greek humeteros. Emph.

Verse 7

cannot = is not ( App-105 ) able to.

testify = bear witness See note on John 1:7 .

of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .

evil, Greek. poneros. App-128 .

Verse 8

Go . . . up. Greek anabaino, the technical word for going up with others as in a caravan. See John 11:55 . Matthew 20:17 , Matthew 20:18 . Mark 10:32 , Mark 10:33 .Luke 2:42 ; Luke 18:31 (compare John 7:35 ); John 19:4 , John 19:28 , John 11:55 , Acts 21:15 .

unto. Greek eis. App-104 .

this = the,

is not yet full come = has not yet been fulfilled. Compare Luke 21:24 .Acts 7:23 .

Verse 9

words = things.

abode . See note on John 1:32 ,

Verse 10

when. Not a note of time but of sequence, as in John 2:9 , John 2:23 ; John 2:4 , John 2:1 , Joh 2:40 ; John 6:12 , John 6:16 ; John 11:6 , John 11:32 , John 11:38 .

Verse 11

at = in. Gr en. App-104 .

he = that man. Emphatic.

Verse 12

murmuring . See note on John 6:41

among. Greek. en. App-104 .

people = crowds.

concerning . Greek peri. App-104 .

said = were saying.

Nay . Greek. ou. App-105 .

deceiveth = leadeth astray. Compare Mark 13:5-6 ; 1 Timothy 4:1 .Jude 1:13 .

people = crowd.

Verse 13

for = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 7:2 .

Verse 14

about the midst, &c. Expression Occurs only here. temple. Greek. hieron. See note on Matthew 23:16 .

taught = began to teach (Imperf. tense).

Verse 15

marvelled = were wondering.

knoweth . Greek. oida. App-132 . See note on 1.

letters . Greek. Plural of gramma. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for what is written; e.g. an account (Luke 16:6 , Luke 16:7 ); the Pentateuch (John 5:47 ); Epistles (Acts 28:21 ); the whole Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15 ). Hence, used of general literature such as the Talmudical writings (here, and in Acts 26:24 ). Compare our term, "man of letters", and see Acts 4:13 .

never = not. Greek. me. App-105 .

Verse 16

answered . . . and said . See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 and App-122 . The 1611 edition of the A. Y. omitted "and said".

My doctrine, &c. The first of seven declarations that the Lord spoke only the Father's words (See John 8:28 , John 8:47 ; John 12:49 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 ).

doctrine = teaching.

sent . See note on John 5:23 .

Verse 17

If , &c. For the condition, see App-118 .

will do = desire ( App-102 .) to do.

will. Greek. thelema. App-102 .

know = get to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 . See note on John 1:10 .

of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

Verse 18

glory. See note on John 1:14 .

His glory , &c. = the glory of Him that sent.

the same = He.

true. See note on John 3:33 .

unrighteousness. See App-128 .

Verse 19

Moses . See note on John 1:17 .

keepeth = doeth.

go . . . about = seek.

Verse 20

devil = demon. Compare Matthew 11:18 .

Verse 21

have done = did.

one. A Hebrew idiom for "a". See John 1:3 .

Verse 22

therefore gave unto you = for this cause (dia [ App-104 .John 7:2; John 7:2 ] touto) has given you. circumcision. Moses mentioned the precept only in Exodus 12:44 , Exodus 12:48 . Leviticus 12:3 . The Law not given by Moses, but based on Genesis 17:9-14 .

the fathers . That is, Abraham. on. Greek. en. App-104 .

man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .

Verse 23

are ye angry? Greek cholao (from chole = bile). Occurs only here.

every whit = entirely (in contrast with one member).

whole = sound (in contrast with wound).

Verse 24

Judge . See note on John 5:22 and App-122 .

not . Greek. me. App-105 . according to. Greek. kata. App-104 .

appearance = sight; i.e. objective or outward appearance.

judge . . . judgment . Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .

righteous = the righteous.

judgment . App-177 .

Verse 25

Jerusalem. See note on Matthew 15:1 . Compare Mark 1:5 .

seek = are seeking.

Verse 26

But = And.

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . Greek. ide. App-133 .

boldly = openly, as in John 7:4 .

nothing. Greek ouden. Compound of ou.

Do the rulers know indeed? = The rulers have not ascertained, have they?

indeed. Greek. alethos = truly or really.

very . Same as "indeed" above. All the texts omit "very", but not the Syriac. See App-94 . note 3, p. 136.

Christ = the Messiah. Ste App-98 .

Verse 27

Howbeit = But, or And yet.

this man = this one.

when = whenever.

cometh = may come.

whence He is : i.e. how He may come. The Rabbis taught that He would come from Bethlehem and then be hid, but none knew where. See Lightfoot, vol. xii, pages 303-4.

Verse 28

cried = cried aloud.

taught = was teaching.

true. Greek. alethinos ( App-175 .) See note on John 1:9 .

Verse 29

from = from beside. Greek para. App-104 .

sent . Greek apostello. App-174 . Not the same word as in verses: John 7:16 , John 7:18 , John 7:28-33 ; but the same word as in John 7:32 .

Verse 30

sought = were seeking.

take = arrest. See in verses: John 7:32 , John 7:44 , and Acts 12:4 . 2 Corinthians 11:32 .

Verse 31

cometh = shall have come.

will He . . . ? = He will not (Greek. meti), will He? The texts read me.

miracles = signs. Greek. Semeion. See note on John 2:11 , and App-176 .

hath done = did.

Verse 32

Pharisees . See App-120 .

that . . . murmured = murmuring. Greek. gonguzo. Occurs elsewhere in John only in John 6:41 , John 6:43 , John 6:61 .

officers , or servants; as in John 18:36 . Compare 18.; John 19:6 , and Matt, . Joh 26:58 . Mark 14:54 , Mark 14:65 ,

to. See John 6:15 .

Verse 33

with. Greek meta. App-104 .

I go = I withdraw. Compare John 6:21 , John 6:67 .

Verse 34

shall = will.

I am. The formula of Divine and eternal existence. See note on John 6:35 , and p. John 8:58 .

Verse 35

among = to. Greek pros. App-104 .

will he go? = is He about to go? (Two verbs.)

the dispersed. Greek Diaspora = the Dispersion. Occurs three times; here, 1 Peter 1:1 ("scattered "), and James 1:1 ("which are scattered abroad"; literally "in the Dispersion").

among = of:

Gentiles . So called from the Latin yentas = nations (as distinguished by race); hence, used of nations, as distinct from the one nation Israel (Genesis 12:2 . Compare John 14:1 , s); Hebrew = goyim: rendered in Authorized Version "nations" 371 times, "heathen "143 times, "Gentiles" 30 times, and "people "11 times. In N.T. days, Greece being the great dominating nation in arms, literature, and language, the word Hellenes became the N.T. word for all non-Jews, Hellen, the son of Deucalion, being the legendary ancestor of the Greek nation (Homer, Iliad, ii. 684). Hellen had been already used in the Septuagint Version, of the "Philistines" (Isaiah 9:12 ), and of "the sons of Javan" (Zechariah 9:13 .Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 9:1 Macc. 8.18. 2 Macc. 4.36. Josephus (Antiquities I. vi. 1). Hellenes in the N.T. never means Jews, but is always distinguished from them. See John 12:20 . Acts 14:1 ; Acts 16:1 , Acts 16:3 ; Acts 18:4 ; Acts 19:10 , Acts 19:17 ; Acts 20:21 .Romans 1:16 ; Romans 2:9 , Romans 2:10 ; Romans 8:9 ; Romans 10:12 . 1 Corinthians 1:24 ; 1 Corinthians 10:32 .Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:3 ; Galatians 3:28 . Col 8:11 . On the other hand, the Greek Hellenistes = Hellenized, and speaking Greek, is used of those who were Jews by birth, but spoke Greek. It occurs three times, and is rendered "Grecians". See Acts 6:1 ; Acts 9:29 ; Acts 11:20 .

Verse 36

saying . Greek. logos. See note on Mark 9:32 .

Verse 37

In = Now on. Greek. en, as in John 7:1 .

the last day. See Leviticus 23:34-36 .

that = the.

drink = let him drink.

Verse 38

He that = that. Read this in connection with the previous verse: "let him drink that believeth on Me".

as = according as.

hath said = hath said [concerning Me]. App-107 .

out of . Greek. ek. App-104 . as in verses: John 7:41 , John 7:52 . Not the same word as in John 7:42 .

His belly . Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole person, for emphasis = Himself. Here referring to Messiah (the Giver), not to the believer. He is, and will be, the Source of all spiritual blessing "as the Scripture hath said": Isaiah 12:3 ; Isaiah 55:1 ; Isaiah 58:11 .Ezekiel 47:1 .Joel 3:18 . Zechariah 13:1 ; Zechariah 14:8 . See App-107 .

His . Referring not to the believer (the receiver), but to the Lord (the Giver).

shall flow. Greek. rheo. Occurs only here in N.T. rivers. This is the emphatic word, by the Figure of speech Hyperbaton ( App-6 ), implying abundance. See Numbers 20:11 . 1 Corinthians 10:4 ,

living. See note on John 4:10 .

Verse 39

But this , &c. See note on "And we" (John 1:14 ). Here the true interpretation is given.

this spake He of the Spirit . Not of the believer.

the Spirit . Referring to the gift of pneuma hagion (in the next clause), of which He was the Giver, and believers the recipients. See App-101 .

receive. And which would be "in him" (the receiver) "springing up" in him, not flowing out as a river from him, for the supply of others. See the ref's. on John 7:38 .

the Holy Ghost . Greek. pneuma hagion. App-101 . There are no Articles. It denotes the gift given by the Giver and received by the believer, as promised in Acts 1:5 and fulfilled in Acts 2:4 .

glorified : i.e. ascended. Compare John 16:7 , Psalms 68:18 , and Acts 2:33 . One of the characteristic words of this Gospel. See p. 1511.

Verse 40

Of a truth . Greek. alethos. See note on "indeed" (John 1:47 ).

Verse 41

Others. See App-124 .

some = others. As before.

Shall. come = What, doth Christ come? (Present tense.)

Verse 42

the seed of David . Psalms 110:0 ; Psalms 132:0 .Isaiah 11:1 , Isaiah 11:10 . Jeremiah 23:5 , &c.

Bethlehem. See Micah 5:2 .

Verse 43

So = Therefore.

was = arose

a division . The first of three instances. See John 9:16 , and John 10:19 .

because of Him . Not only in the three cases noted above, but down to the present day.

because of = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 7:2 .

Verse 44

would have taken Him = desired to take Him (two verbs). Luke 7:17 . See App-102 .

Verse 45

came . "Sent", in John 7:32 .

to . Greek pros. App-104 .

Verse 46

never . Greek. oudepote

like = thus, as. Some texts omit this last clause, but not Syriac. See note 3, p. 1511. Compare John 4:29 .

Verse 47

Are ye, &c. ? = Have ye also been led astray (John 7:12 )? Referring to action rather than to thought.

Verse 48

Have . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

rulers. Members of the Sanhedrin.

Verse 49

cursed = laid under a curse. Greek epikataratos. Only here and Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:10 , Galatians 1:13 . Found often in the Septuagint and in the Papyri. See Deissmann's Light, &c. p. 93.

Verse 50

Nicodemus . See John 3:2 with John 19:39 .

he that came . See note on "and we" (John 1:14 ). Some texts omit this clause, but not the Syriac. ( App-94 , note 3, p. 136).

Verse 51

before = except (Greek. ean me) first.

it hear = it has heard.

Verse 52

Search = Search [the Scriptures], as in John 5:39 .

look = see. App-133 . If they had looked, they would have found that Jonah and Hosea arose out of Galilee, and perhaps Elijah, Elisha, and Amos.

Verse 53

And every man, &c. From John 7:53 -- John 8:11 is omitted by L T Tr. [A] The Revised Version note questions it. WH place it in double brackets at the end of the Gospel. As to ancient MSS., A (the Alexandrine, London) and C (Ephraemi, Paris), are defective here, so that the oldest omitting it are (Sinaitic, Cent. v), B (Vatican, Cent. iv). The oldest containing it is D (Bezae, Cent. vi). It is contained in the Vulgate (383), and Jerome (378-430) testifies (adv. Pelag. ii. p. 762) that it is found in many Greek and Latin Codices. It is also found in the Jerusalem Syriac (Cent. v), the Memphitic (Cent. iii or iv), Aethiopic (Cent. iv). Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea (315-320), quotes (Hist. Ecc. iii. 39) Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis (in Phrygia, 130), as refering to it. Ambrose (374-397) quotes it, as does Augustine (395-430), de adult. coniugiis (lib. ii, cap. 7). Though WH omit it, Dean Burgon (1883) quotes: "Drs. W. and H. remark that 'the argument which has always told most in its favour in modern times is its own internal character. The story itself has justly seemed to vouch for its own internal truth, and the words in which it is clothed to harmonize with other Gospel narratives' ( The Revision Revised, p. 311, note). We may ask: How is it that all the MSS. which do contain it (including 300 Cursives) agree in placing it here? It was another attempt following on John 7:32 , and referred to in John 8:15 .