John 7:53-8:11

[[They went each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

John 7:53-8:11

This portion of scripture is considered by most to not be original and legit because the earliest manuscripts do not include it.  Though it may be highly contested and not considered scripture, we can still read through it and perhaps glean from it certain truths we know to be true from the rest of scripture.

The scene begins early the next morning at the temple where Jesus is teaching.  The scribes and the Pharisees bring a women to him who has been caught in adultery.  Asking Jesus what is to be done about this woman, they have set their trap and are waiting to see how Jesus falls into it.

The Trap
v3-5

The scribes and the Pharisees make mention of the Jewish law.  The passage is probably the one found in Deuteronomy 22.

“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel.
“If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor's wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Deuteronomy 22:22-24

What's interesting is that according to this verse, the scribes and the Pharisees have already failed to do what is right on their part.  They have failed to bring both the man and the woman.  Perhaps this means that the man was in on it and this was a setup all to catch Jesus.  This does not mean that the woman is not guilty of sin, but it's interesting to wonder why they failed to bring the man because there must have been one other person involved in order for this sin to take place.

The situation makes me wonder what I would've done in that situation.  I don't think I would have been able to make a wise choice.  I also wonder whether or not the scribes and the Pharisees knew what they would do either.  I have a feeling that the scribes and the Pharisees used this situation because they wouldn't have been able to get out of it either.  To the scribes and the Pharisees, there really is no way out.  Jesus can either condemn the women to death according to the Jewish law, or show mercy and allow her to live.  By condemning her to death, he would be adhering to the Jewish law, but then he may get into trouble with the Roman authorities.  However, if he allows her to live, he may not get into trouble with the Roman authorities, but the scribes and Pharisees can show that Jesus does not adhere to the Jewish law.  Either way, they see Jesus losing in the end.

Jesus' Unexpected Response 1
v6

In response, Jesus begins to do something that no one would've expected.  He doesn't answer them, but he begins to write on the ground.  Some people speculate that Jesus may have been writing the 10 commandments in the ground or perhaps the specific sins of the Pharisees and scribes.  Sadly, we don't know what he wrote, but perhaps it wasn't that important anyway.

Jesus' Unexpected Response 2
v7

After they continue to press him for an answer, Jesus provides another response that is unexpected.

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:7

Jesus does not choose either of the two choices the Pharisees and scribes expected.  Jesus acknowledges the Jewish law by allowing a stone be thrown.  However, he does it in a way that places the full weight of the law upon their shoulders.  Though they are asking Jesus what he would do, he places the duty on them to initiate the execution of the law.  Sure, she is guilty and deserves punishment, but what about the scribes and the Pharisees.  The spiritual elites may have thought themselves to be the moral elites, but even they must've realized that they aren't perfect.  None of them could claim to be without sin and so none of them could throw the first stone.  Sure, they could judge this woman by the law and find her guilty, but they fail to examine themselves.  Jesus has "trapped" them and they can offer no response.

The Aftermath: People (and Scribes and Pharisees)
v9

With nothing to say and nothing to do, they all leave.  No one has a leg to stand on because no one can claim to be without sin.  The text says that they leave starting with the older ones.  Perhaps the younger ones had hoped that there may have been one of them who could've thrown the first stone.  However, the older ones may have known that this wasn't the case and just left.

The Aftermath: Jesus and the Woman
v9-11

Everyone leaves until only two remain.  The two remaining are Jesus and the woman.  What's interesting is that now only one stands who has the ability to condemn this woman.  Jesus is without sin and so he can actually throw the first stone.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus is sinless.  He is the spotless lamb. Yet he does not throw the first stone.

Now, we can cheer in excitement for mercy to be shown to this woman.  We may even see ourselves needing mercy like this woman.  However, is just letting her go just?  Is Jesus being unjust by simply letting her go?  Sure, he tells her to go and sin no more, but she still remains unpunished.  As much as we may want her to go free, she still committed sin.  How is this injustice handled?  Well, there is either the storing up of wrath, or the payment via Jesus Christ.  Jesus can let her go without condemnation because he paid it all (or in this case, will have paid it all).  Let us be reminded of the seriousness of sin, but also be reminded of the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 7:14-52

About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

John 7:14-52

Half-way through the feast, Jesus makes a move.  He had been hidden until now or hadn't shown up yet.  Now, these Jews who had been looking for him, finally get word of him now that he has made himself known.  He does so by teaching in the temple.  This begins the first of three questions (plus one extra) the Jews or the crowd has of Jesus.





Question 1: Teaching

The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”

v15

Jesus' teaching was so amazing that it caused the Jews to marvel.  It was quite a feat to amaze the religious leaders.  Can you imagine someone teaching the bible in front of a group of well known biblical theologians and amazing them?  You might think or expect this person to also be a pastor or theologian of some sort.  However, this would be truly amazing if this person were instead an electrician and had never gone to bible school.  This is what Jesus did.  He had never formally studied the Torah or studied under a Rabbi.  He was a carpenter.  And this lowly carpenter taught in such a way that caused the religious leaders to marvel.  They must have known that he was a carpenter and knew that he had never studied under a rabbi since they commented that "he had never studied".

Obviously, Jesus could easily amaze them because he's God.  He created all and knows all.  But they didn't know that and they didn't believe in him.  If they believed in him it would make more sense to them, but they were clearly confused.

Answer 1: God

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.

v16

Where does Jesus' teaching come from?  It comes from the one who sent him.  It comes from God.  This is the answer to why he has learning when he has never studied.

Teaching Source and Implications
v17-18

To claim that your teaching came from God is a giant claim, especially since Jesus never formally studied.  So, Jesus goes on to explain how they will know or prove what Jesus says.  The test is about their will or intention.  If they really do intend to follow God and do his will, then they will know if his teaching is really from God.  This in itself is perhaps an attack against the Jewish leaders.  They claim to be in the know about God, but if they truly were about God then they would know if Jesus' teaching is from God.  In other words, the fact that they don't know that his teaching is from God shows that they don't really will to do God's will.

It's interesting to note the contrast Jesus makes with regards to his teaching being from God.  Jesus contrasts teaching from God to speaking on his own authority.  In other words, there are really only two options: either the teaching is from God or the teaching is his own.  This is very important, because it is about the origin of the teaching.  Where did Jesus really get his teaching that caused the Jews to marvel?

Jesus goes on to explain the ramifications for teaching that comes from ones own self or teaching that comes from God.  Jesus quickly moves on to refer to teaching that comes from ones own self as speaking on ones own authority.  Those who speak on their own authority seek their own glory.  They're really about themselves and making themselves look good.  Essentially, they're selfish and self-proclaimers.  These people are in direct contrast to Jesus, whose teaching comes from God.  Jesus seeks the glory of God, and not his own glory.  Jesus speaks the truth and not lies.  And I guess by saying that, Jesus is calling the opposition (those who speak on their own authority) liars.

Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.

Galatians 4:17 (NLT)

Galatians 4:17 is a verse that highlights what Jesus is talking about here.  False teachers desire to win favor, but their true intention is really about their own glory.  Just like here in John 7, they speak lies and seek their own glory.  I guess they are one in the same because the Jews in John 7 are speaking falsehood, and so they are also false teachers.

An Example: Moses and the Law
v19-24

The Jews were seeking to kill Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.  Why is healing on the Sabbath such a big deal to the Jews?  The Jews were just trying to follow the commandments and in particular the ones surrounding the Sabbath.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11

Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do. Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.”

Exodus 35:1-3

You'll notice that it doesn't say anything about healing someone.  Instead, the command is against doing work on the Sabbath.  So, what constitutes as doing work?  The Jews made all kinds of rules about what work was and what work wasn't so they could know what they could do and what they could not do on the Sabbath.  Unfortunately, they were obviously incorrect in persecuting Jesus for healing on the Sabbath as he will attempt to show them.

Here in chapter 7, Jesus brings up Moses in order to show them their error.  Specifically, Jesus brings up Moses' law of circumcision.  According to Genesis 17 and Leviticus 12, an eight day old male is to be circumcised.  Jesus points out that it is possible for the circumcision to fall on the Sabbath and the Jews would have no issue with circumcising someone on the Sabbath if it happened to fall on that day.  However, the Jews have a problem with Jesus healing someone on the Sabbath.  This begs the question, "Why is it okay to circumcise a person on the Sabbath, but not okay to heal a person on the Sabbath?"  Jesus even describes it as "I made a man's whole body well".  So another way to compare it is the effect on the body.  Circumcision has to do with the genitals of a boy, but the healing Jesus did affects the entire body.

Jesus uses this example to show the Jews their error in their judgment.  He ends by telling them to "judge with right judgment" and not by appearances.  The Jews are clearly wrong in their judgment of Jesus.  This also applies to their teaching.  This has very much to do with what they teach and since they are shown to be wrong, it shows that their teaching is in error.  Since the original question had to do with Jesus' teaching, we not only see Jesus' teaching for what it is, but also the Jews' teaching for what it is.

Reaction 1
v15, 20

In reaction to his teaching, initially the crowd marveled.  They were surprised, saying "how is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied".  His teaching surprises them and it is unexpected coming from a man who has never studied.  However, after hearing his response, they respond by saying: “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”  They may have marveled at his teaching earlier, but they are now insulting him.  AMP translates it this way: “You have a demon [You are out of Your mind]! Who wants to kill You?”  It is interesting how quickly the crowd turns on Jesus.  They are clearly repulsed and perhaps a bit confused with regards to his response.





Question 2: Christ (Origin/Commission)
v25-27

The people react and are surprised at what they are seeing.  There is a man, Jesus, whom the Jews seek to kill.  However, the Jews cannot say anything in response to Jesus.  It would be typical for the Jews to have something to say and perhaps condemn Jesus for something that he has done.  Since they were people of the Old Testament Law, they probably would've fought back against Jesus using the Old Testament Law as their basis.  Sadly, they have no leg to stand on and cannot say anything.  The Jews have been put in their place and are unable to assert their dominance over a single man.  As a result, the people wonder whether the authorities (the Jews) actually believe Jesus to be the Christ.  Is Jesus really the messiah that they have been waiting for all this time?

The possibility that Jesus really is the Christ is quickly distinguished.  The people conclude that he cannot be the Christ because they know where Jesus comes from.  Because they know his origin, he cannot be the Christ since "when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from".  The people answer the question themselves, but they have failed to ask the question which Jesus asks (and answers): who sent Jesus?

Answer 2: God
v28-29

There are three main things that Jesus states in his answer to them.  They can all be found in verse 29.

Firstly, Jesus knows God.  This is in contrast to Jesus' earlier statement saying, "and him you do not know".  This is also in contrast to their seeming knowledge of Jesus himself.  They don't actually know Jesus nor do they know God, but Jesus knows him.  The people of Jerusalem were the ones who were most likely to know God.  Sadly, though they may have thought they did, God's chosen people did not know God.

Secondly, Jesus comes from him.  The people claim to know where Jesus came from.  This probably meant that they knew his parents and the place where he grew up.  This is similar to when the Jews took offense to Jesus' claim that he was the bread that came down from heaven.  In response to this, the Jews claim to know Jesus' father and mother.  But the people do not know that Jesus actually came from God.

Lastly, Jesus was sent by God.  Jesus is following orders from the Father.  This shows his obedience to the Father.  It also shows that the reason for his actions are ultimately from the Father and not himself.  His sender is in contrast to their "knowing" of him.  They may "know" Jesus, but they don't know who sent him.  In missing this they have missed an important factor when it comes to Jesus.

If we step back for a second and look at all three of these points, we should consider how they are all connected.  It is important to recognize that the main point is that Jesus knows God.  The fact that Jesus came from God and was sent by God are explanations of why or how he does in fact know God.  This is shown in verse 29 when the word "for" (or "because" in NLT") is used to connect "I know him" to the rest of the verse.  The fact that Jesus came from the Father and was sent by the Father explains why Jesus knows the Father.

Reaction 2a: Arrest Attempt
v30

The people react to Jesus' words by trying to arrest him.  It doesn't specify what caused this, but it must've been something Jesus said.  There was something in Jesus' words that caused some of the people to take offense.  However, they were unsuccessful in their arrest attempt.  They were so unsuccessful that they weren't even able to lay a hand on him.  They couldn't even touch him.  The text doesn't describe this much further, so we don't really know the details of this arrest attempt and how it was foiled.  We only know that they were unsuccessful.

Though we may not know the details of how the arrest was attempted and foiled, we know why they failed to arrest Jesus.  The reason why they weren't able to arrest him was "because his hour had not yet come".  It wasn't yet time for Jesus to be arrested.  There is this pre-appointed time for Jesus to be arrested and this time wasn't it.  Things seem to be working according to plans that have been set in motion.  The attempts of the people to arrest Jesus will not thwart these plans.  Though this is probably not the best example, I am reminded of Psalm 2.

Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

Psalm 2:1-6

These kings and rulers and nations and peoples plot against the Lord, but God just laughs at them.  They can't do anything.

I am also reminded of Nebuchadnezzar's account in Daniel 4.  After God made him like an animal, this is what happened:

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
    and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
    and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
    or say to him, “What have you done?”

Daniel 4:34-35

There is nothing anyone can do in the face of God and his plans.  As it says, "none can stay his hand".

Reaction 2b: Belief
v31

Even though some sought to arrest Jesus, there are actually many who believe in Jesus.  They can't even comprehend someone showing more signs than Jesus, saying “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”  This is a big development in the book thus far.  So far, there are only a few who have expressed belief or support in Jesus: The Disciples, John the Baptist, Mary (?), The woman from Samaria, many Samaritans, an Official and his household.  Far more reject and oppose Jesus than accept him.  This probably the first time a group of Jews accept Jesus (aside from John the Baptist and the Disciples).  To be fair, in the previous chapter the crowd sought after Jesus and wanted to make him king.  However, that wasn't really belief in Jesus, but it was because they ate their fill of the loaves.

Reaction 2c: Arrest (by the Pharisees and Chief priests)
v32

Now, this case is a bit different but I guess it kinda fits in here.  The reason why it doesn't really fit is because this is not a reaction to Jesus.  Instead, the Pharisees and chief priests are reacting to the reaction that the crowd has to Jesus.  They are not reacting to those in the crowd who seek to arrest Jesus, but those who now believe in Jesus.  They hear the crowd muttering the things they are saying about Jesus and this causes the Pharisees and the chief priests to react.

The reaction of the Pharisees and the chief priests is to send officers to arrest Jesus.  I guess if they cannot say anything in response to Jesus, they must resort to quieting him another way.  In this case, it does not say that Jesus was able to evade their attempts, but we can assume that they were unsuccessful.  Perhaps what Jesus says to them stops them in their tracks?





Question 3: Jesus' lead-up to the question
v33-34

The Pharisees and chief priests send officers to arrest Jesus.  So what does Jesus do?  First, spoiler alert: they don't arrest him.  Second, he kinda taunts them.  He tells them that he is "going to him who sent me", that they will look for him but not find him, and that they cannot come to where he is going.  In response to what Jesus says comes the question: "where is Jesus going?"

The text doesn't actually make mention of whether or not Jesus was arrested.  However, I think it's safe to assume that he wasn't arrested by them.  First of all, it mentioned earlier that his hour had not yet come (v30).  It doesn't say how much time has passed from verse 30 to verse 36, but I think it's safe to say that his hour still has not yet come.  Also, we know when his hour comes and that's when they do in fact arrest him in the garden (ch 18).

Jesus begins his "taunt" by telling them "I am going to him who sent me".  It's not just that, but he also says "I will be with you a little longer".  So he is telling them that he is leaving, but only after remaining for a little longer.  The amount of time he stays or when he leaves isn't specified, it is simply stated as "a little longer".  But even if we aren't told when, we know he is going to the Father, who is the one who sent him.  He was sent by the Father, and soon he is returning.  I guess this doesn't really sound like much of a taunt, but you need to keep mind the fact that they are trying to arrest him.  In spite of their attempts, Jesus claims to be in control of where and when he chooses to go.

Jesus continues by saying "You will seek me and you will not find me".  What's interesting is that they will in fact seek him.  If you think about it, if Jesus goes away, why would they seek him?  They hate Jesus and for him to disappear shouldn't be a problem to them.  That's actually a good thing, isn't it?  I'll be that in their minds it doesn't even make sense that they would seek him if he were to disappear or leave.  They even wonder about this statement, trying to discern Jesus' meaning (v36).  As you may already know, it is because of the way in which Jesus leaves that causes them to seek for him.  Jesus rose from the dead and was seen by many eyewitnesses.  The Jews sought to find his body to prove that he was still dead, but they could not find him.

Jesus ends by saying "Where I am you cannot come".  They will not be able to find him and this is mostly because they cannot come to where he is.  Jesus is going back to the Father and that is exactly where they cannot go.  Though Jesus does not explain why they cannot come, we can understand why from what Jesus has already said.  The fact is that they do not believe in Jesus, the one whom the Father has sent.  This is why they cannot come.

Question 3: Where is Jesus Going?
v33-36

As a result of what Jesus has just said, the Jews begin to have a number of different questions that they ask themselves.  Their main question is, "where does Jesus intend to go?"  It's not as if Jesus is simply claiming to go to the corner store.  He is claiming to go to somewhere where they cannot find him.  The Jews do have one possibility, and that is that Jesus plans to go to the Dispersion.  To them, this was one place that Jesus could realistically go to that they could not find him.

The text ends this little incident with the Jews questioning.  It doesn't say that they tried to arrest Jesus again or that they even bothered to ask Jesus to clarify himself.  They are simply left questioning among themselves.  It's really too bad that they question among themselves because Jesus has already given the answer in what he said.  He already said, "I am going to him who sent me".  They remain questioning and they have not come to believe in Jesus.





The Last Day: Jesus' Words
v37-39

On the last day of the feast, Jesus has one last thing to say.  This last day is an important day and the climax of the feast.  Jesus uses this opportunity to say something quite important to coincide with this important day.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:37-38

Jesus is inviting the people who are thirsty to come and drink.  This is quite an odd statement, but not that odd if you consider what he said in previous chapters.  In chapter 4, Jesus told the woman at the well that the water he gives will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life (4:14).  In chapter 6, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life" (6:35) and told them that this bread was his flesh (6:51).  Jesus is inviting people to come and believe in him.

Jesus is not only inviting people to believe in him, but he is also telling them what will happen if they do.  Though, they won't literally have a river of water flowing out of their heart, there will certainly be an exponential and beautiful change from a drink to a river of living water.  Here, Jesus is actually referring to the Holy Spirit, which the believers were to receive.  However, this is not to happen yet.  We actually get an interesting bit of information here because the text explains that it hinges on Jesus being glorified.

The Last Day: Reaction - Some People Believe
v40-41

We know how the Jews feel about Jesus, but now we get to see the reaction of the people.  The first reaction is of belief.  Some believe that Jesus is the Prophet and some believe that Jesus is the Christ.  These words that Jesus has spoken move some of the people to believe in him.

The Last Day: Reaction - Some People Disbelieve
v41-44

In contrast to those who believe in Jesus, there are some of the people who do not believe in Jesus.  Instead, they begin to question Jesus' origin.  They wonder if Jesus could really be the Christ since he is from Galilee.  They find it hard to believe that Jesus is the Christ since the Christ is supposed to come from Bethlehem and is supposed to be from the offspring of David.  There are things they bring up as reasons why they do not believe that Jesus is the Christ  However, Jesus is of the lineage of David and he was born in Bethlehem.  Jesus could've easily told them that, and maybe he did and it is not written here.  Though perhaps they still would not believe.  Earlier in this chapter, Jesus does address his origin and perhaps if his answer was not enough for them they still would not believe if Jesus told them he was born in Bethlehem and is of the lineage of David.

We also learn a little bit about what results from this disbelief.  It does not say much about the actions of those who believe.  However, of those who do not believe, not only do they pose these questions, some wanted to arrest Jesus.  Perhaps these are the exact same people who wanted to arrest Jesus back in verse 30.  Just like that verse, they are unable to arrest him.

The Last Day: Reaction - Officers
v45-46

We see officers return to the chief priests and Pharisees.  They are returning because they were initially sent to arrest Jesus and have decided not to arrest Jesus.  The chief priests and Pharisees obviously wonder why they are returning empty handed.  So, their answer is that they were amazed with Jesus' words.  His words are so amazing that they decided to not arrest Jesus.  It is quite amazing that these officers who were initially sent to arrest Jesus end up not going through with it because of Jesus' words.

The Last Day: Chief Priests and Pharisees
v47-49, 52

The chief priests and Pharisees are obviously in opposition to Jesus.  They send officers to arrest Jesus with no success.  Upon hearing that the officers choose not to arrest Jesus, they say that the officers have been deceived.  To them, anyone who is a follower or believer in Jesus is obviously deceived.  To back up their case, they point to the authorities and the Pharisees.  To them, the fact that none of the authorities or Pharisees have believed in Jesus is solid evidence that Jesus is deceiving them.  What's interesting is that they are doing exactly what Jesus taught about earlier in this chapter.  They are speaking from their own authority and pointing to their own authority as proof that Jesus is wrong.  Unfortunately, they do not seek the glory of God but instead seek their own glory.

The Last Day: Nicodemus
v50-52

Nicodemus chooses this moment to add his two cents.  In case readers missed this, the text reminds us that this is the same Nicodemus from chapter 3 who met secretly with Jesus.  We are also reminded that Nicodemus was one of them (a Pharisee).  Nicodemus points out that according to the law, a man must be given a hearing before he is convicted.  He is pointing out that these people are going ahead with arresting Jesus before properly hearing him out.  Nicodemus seems to be on Jesus' side or at least is not against Jesus like the rest of the Pharisees.  Interestingly, he is an example of a Pharisee that does believe in Jesus.  The Pharisees argued that since none of the authorities or Pharisees believed in Jesus, Jesus was obviously deceiving them.  But their argument doesn't really stand since Nicodemus is an example of a Pharisee who seems to believe in Jesus.  In any case, the chief priests and Pharisees dismiss Nicodemus's words.  To them, Jesus being from Galilee is enough proof that Jesus is not a prophet and not to be believed in.





The Result: Division

There are many things going on in this chapter.  Jesus says a lot of different things and people have many different questions and there are many different reactions as a result.  Some people believe in Jesus and some people want to arrest Jesus.  There are some, like the religious leaders, who you might expect to believe in Jesus but do not.  Yet, there are some, like the crowds, who you might not expect to believe in Jesus but do.  Even the officers, who were supposed to arrest Jesus, seem to have a change of heart.  Or better yet, Nicodemus who was one of the Pharisees stands up for Jesus.  We see that Jesus creates division because you must stand on one side or the other.  Is he truly sent by God or one deserving of arrest?  There is division when it comes to Jesus.

I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 10

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10:34-39

John 7:10-13

But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

John 7:10-13

At the beginning of this chapter, we learn about Jesus' brothers and how they feel about Jesus.  Two more groups of people will now enter the scene and we will find out what their thought are about Jesus.

The Jewish Leaders

The first group is the Jewish leaders.  The Jewish leaders are on the search for Jesus at this festival.  They probably expected Jesus to come and they ask around but they can't find him (v11).  They are not asking around for him because they are interested in Jesus in a good way.  We know that the Jewish leaders are hostile to Jesus because the rest of the Jews fear being heard speaking favorably about Jesus by the Jewish leaders (v13).

Why are they hostile toward Jesus?  If we look ahead, we see Jesus addressing this very thing.  He openly asks "Why do you seek to kill me?" (v19).  Reading a bit further, Jesus describes an incident that has resulted in the Jewish leaders trying to kill him.  This incident, Jesus refers to as "one work" (v21), or in NLT: "I did one miracle on the Sabbath" (v21, NLT).  About this miracle, he says "are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well?" (v23).  Jesus is referring to the healing he performed back in chapter 5.  They are seeking to kill Jesus because he performed a mircle on the sabbath, which was apparently not right in their eyes.

The rest of the Jews

The third group is the rest of the Jews.  These are the Jews who are not Jesus' brothers (nor his disciples) and are not the religious authorities.  This is the first group to have some positive feelings towards Jesus, as some of them say about Jesus, "he is a good man" (v12).  But it's not all positive, as some of these Jews think that what Jesus is doing is not a good thing, saying "No, he is leading the people astray" (v12).

End

I guess not much is said and done yet, but the stage is now set.  We see the opinions of three groups of people and we're about to witness Jesus' appearance at this big festival.  Does what Jesus say and do change or affect their opinion of him?  What is his goal by doing what he does?  I guess you can just read for yourself and see.

John 7:1-8

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”

John 7:1-8

In the beginning of this chapter, there is something that just doesn't add up when I look at it.  The confusion I find is when I compare verses 3-4 to verse 5.  How can Jesus' brothers say what they say in verses 3 and 4, and yet they still be described as not believing in him in verse 5?  Yet, what is written is written.  Somehow, is it possible for Jesus' brothers to say what they say and still not believe in him.

Purpose 1: Disciples
v3

Jesus' brothers are urging him to go to Judea.  The purpose is for his disciples to see the works that he is doing.  It is important to note that the disciples they are referring to are not the twelve.  If they were referring to the twelve what they are saying wouldn't make sense since the twelve have already seen his works.  Instead, they are referring to other disciples or other people who could potentially be disciples.  So, they are hoping for Jesus to recruit more disciples.

Purpose 2: Known
v4

There is a second purpose or a greater purpose we find in the words of Jesus' brothers.  They go on to explain the purpose of having disciples see his works, saying that "no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly".  They think reason that Jesus should be made known and the way to do it is to go to Judea so that people can see the works that he is doing.

Possible Reasons

So Jesus' brothers urge him to show his works in Judea for the purpose of gaining disciples and being made known.  What's so bad about that?  More importantly, why would they say that if they didn't believe in him?  Perhaps they were using this opportunity to validate Jesus' works.  If his works were widely accepted in Judea, then maybe this would prove that Jesus was the real deal.  Or perhaps they were giving Jesus bad advice in the guise of well meaning guidance.  Maybe they hoped that Jesus' works would be shown to be nothing in the face of the Jews in Judea.  Unfortunately, these are just speculative since it is not clear how or why the brothers did not believe in Jesus.

Misalignment: Timing
v6,8

Though it may be unclear why Jesus' brothers would say what they did and still not believe in him, a few things are made clear by Jesus' response to them.  Jesus explains why he is not going to the feast (at least not publicly).  In his response, twice he says "My time has not yet come".  In response to their question as to why he isn't going up to the feast, the answer is that his time has not yet come.  However, this answer is also in response to Jesus' brothers' notion that Jesus should show himself to the world and be made known openly.  Jesus' time has not yet come for him to be known openly and show himself to the world.  Jesus' brothers do not see eye to eye with Jesus when it comes to timing.

Misalignment: The World
v7

Another thing Jesus makes clear is the world's acceptance of him.  Though his brothers urge him to show himself to the world, the truth is that the world hates him.  The reason the world hates Jesus is because, as Jesus says, "it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil".  Jesus himself testifies against the world and proclaims that its works are evil.  This is why the world hates Jesus.  And so, the world and Jesus are at odds with one another.

If the world hates Jesus, why would Jesus' brothers tell him to show himself to the world?  It is possible that they didn't understand this fact and were assuming he'd be accepted by the world.  It is also possible that they knew this and were expecting the world's rejection of Jesus.  Either way, this shows that his brothers did not believe in him.

Conclusion

We learn quite a few interesting things from these few verses.  Not only do we see that Jesus' brothers do not believe in him, but we learn from Jesus that his time has not yet come and that the world hates him.  However, there is another thing I learned from reading a commentary that I'd like to share that was referring to Jesus' brothers.

"In any case, the incident shows that seeing Jesus perform miracles, living in his presence, and hearing him teach is not enough to make a person a believer.  It is not so much the evidence that demands a decision as it is the gift of faith that moves a person from darkness into light."

-The Expositor's Bible Commentary 10

Jesus' brothers lived with him and grew up with him and yet they didn't believe in him.  I guess that shows that it's not enough to just see and be with and experience Jesus.

John 6:41-71

Jesus feeds the five thousand, then slips away before they can take him by force and make him king (v15).  He then goes one step further by making it across the sea while having the crowd believe that he is still on the same side.  When they finally catch up with him, he tells them that they are seeking him for the wrong reason: they ate their fill of the bread (v26).  He tells them that they are to work for food that endures to eternal life instead of food that perishes (v27).  He tells them that the work of God is to believe in the one whom he has sent (v29).  Finally, if they haven't figured it out already, he tells them that he is the bread of life (v35).  Somehow, they still don't get it.


The Jews Grumbled
v41-59

When Jesus tells them that he is the bread of life, he has some pretty amazing things to say in a few short verses (v35-40).  Yet, in response to all that Jesus says, the Jews grumbled about him.  The reason that they grumble is because of something that Jesus said: "I am the bread that came down from heaven."  It's not actually the "bread" part, but the "came down from heaven" part that the Jews are focused on.  The text goes on to further explain their reasoning.  Apparently, it seems as if the fact that they know Jesus' father and mother causes them to question whether or not Jesus came down from heaven.  I guess you could argue that they would simply know a person's origin by his or her parents.  The Jews obviously knew Mary and Joseph.  They probably also knew Jesus when he was little since he was being raised by his parents.  To be fair, I'm not sure I would believe Jesus either.  If he was the kid down the street that I saw grow up, how would it be possible that he actually came down from heaven?

Though it may be hard to believe that Jesus's words, the main reason that the Jews are grumbling is not because it seems incomprehensible that he "came down from heaven".  Instead, it is their pride that is getting in the way.  To the Jews, Jesus is below them.  They cannot swallow their pride to accept the fact that this same kid who they knew as a little boy can be above them in some way.  They are still the ones who see and yet do not believe.

In response to their grumbling, Jesus repeats a number of things that he has already said.  He tells them again that "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."  He also repeats the fact that "whoever believes has eternal life".  Jesus also moves on to speak more about bread.  Not only is he the bread of life and the bread that comes down from heaven, but eating this bread will result in eternal life.  This is in contrast to those who ate the manna in the wilderness and they died.  With all that said, Jesus gives one final clue about the bread.  He specifies it by telling the crowd that "the bread that I will gives for the life of the world is my flesh".

The Jews don't understand how Jesus can give them his flesh to eat.  It certainly is a valid question.  It is a question I would've probably asked.  Did Jesus mean for them to feed on him like a cannibal?  The truth is that Jesus is talking about his dying on the cross.  Jesus is referring to his body that will be broken and his blood that will be shed.  We can see this by the fact that he goes on to talk about his flesh and his blood.  Not only that, but he relates the feeding of his flesh and drinking of his blood to eternal life.  The Jews just couldn't understand it.


The (Other) Disciples Grumbled
v60-66

There's actually another group that has remained quiet since the crowd found Jesus on the other side of the sea, and that's the disciples.  Jesus' disciples are the people who are following him.  Of these people following Jesus were the twelve disciples.  However, there were more than just the twelve who were following Jesus.  At this point in the story, we get to see the disciples reaction to Jesus' words.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”
John 6:60

To be clear, this doesn't include the twelve disciples.  The twelve will be addressed at the end of the chapter.  At this point, these are disciples of Jesus who aren't the twelve.  These disciples have a hard time with what Jesus is saying.  They find it hard and difficult to listen to (v60).  They grumble about it (v61).  Finally, they turn back and no longer walk with Jesus (v66).  It's not only the Jews who have difficulty with Jesus' words, but also his disciples.


The Twelve (Eleven) Believe
v66-71

The Jews have a hard time with Jesus' words.  Even Jesus' own disciples have a hard time with what he is saying.  What is the response of the twelve?

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:67-69

They believe.  They recognize that Jesus has the words of eternal life.  They know that he is the Holy One of God.  With that, where else would they go?  They're not leaving.  With Jesus is exactly where they want to be.


Why?

Why is it that the Jews grumbled?  Why did the other disciples turn back and no longer follow Jesus?  Why was it only the twelve that remained?  If Jesus really is the Bread of Life and has the word of eternal life, why do so many people reject him?  There are a number of different verses in this chapter that give us an answer.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

v37

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

v44

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

v65

It is the Father who gives.  It is the Father who draws.  It is the Father who grants.  This is why there are some who do not believe, as it is described in verse 64 and 65.  This is why the Jews grumbled, the other disciples no longer walked with Jesus and yet the Twelve remained.

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

John 6:70-71

John 6:35-40

Jesus feeds the five thousand, then slips away before they can take him by force and make him king (v15).  He then goes one step further by making it across the sea while having the crowd believe that he is still on the same side.  When they finally catch up with him, he tells them that they are seeking him for the wrong reason: they ate their fill of the bread (v26).  He tells them that they are to work for food that endures to eternal life instead of food that perishes (v27).  He tells them that the work of God is to believe in the one whom he has sent (v29).  Finally, he tells them that he is the bread of life (v35).


The Bread of Life: Meaning

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

In his own words, Jesus says he is "the bread of life".  One might wonder what Jesus meant when he said that.  Well, he does give a bit of an explanation.  Jesus tells them "whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."  To never be hungry and never be thirsty again is an amazing thing.  Jesus is the cure to the world's hunger problem, isn't he?  Actually, if you've been following along you probably already know that Jesus wasn't talking about physical hunger.  First of all, he told them not to work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life (v27).  If being "The Bread of Life" has something to do with physical food, then why would he tell them not to work for that same food that perishes?  Secondly, Jesus and his disciples ate food and were hungry at times.  If he was talking about physical hunger, why would he and his disciples ever get hungry?  Thirdly, he had just performed a miracle by feeding the five thousand with physical bread and fish, yet they are still coming to him asking for more.  They were obviously still hungry.  Jesus was talking about spiritual things.  He meant that you would never hunger again spiritually.  He was talking about never thirsting again spiritually.  Jesus is so satisfying that you will never need to eat again, spiritually speaking.


The Bread of Life: Seeing is not Believing

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

John 6:36

Jesus begins to address the crowd and their situation.  They were fed when he miraculously fed five thousand with only a five loaves and two fish.  They were searching diligently for him and have finally caught up with him.  Will they hunger no more because they are coming to him?  Unfortunately, the truth is that the crowd does not believe in Jesus.  In spite of all they've seen, they still do not believe.  Jesus says this himself.

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

John 6:36

Jesus tells them plainly that they have seen Jesus and yet they do not believe in him.  Just because you see Jesus doesn't mean that you believe in him.  Looking back at verse 35, we can conclude that since they do not believe, they will not have their thirst satisfied.

One may object, citing the fact that the crowd came to Jesus.  Based on what Jesus says in verse 35, they should be ones who don't hunger.  However, it is very clear from the text that they are still ones who hunger.  They are ones who are working for food that perishes and not for food that endures to eternal life (v27).  What is meant by "come" in verse 35 is more than just physically coming to Jesus.  Jesus already addressed their reasons (v26).  Why you come to Jesus matters too.


The Bread of Life: Those Who Come

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 6:37

Jesus has already told the crowd that they are ones who see and do not believe.  These people seemed to be seriously seeking after Jesus.  Unfortunately, they still hunger spiritually and they do not believe.  Does this mean that Jesus is denying those who come to him?  This is not the case and Jesus makes that very clear.  Jesus tells them "whoever comes to me I will never cast out".  This means that the crowd is not truly coming to Jesus.

Jesus' words are quite comforting.  If he will not cast you out, you should not have any fear of being rejected.  Jumping ahead, we see even more comfort in verse 40: "everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day".  If this is what Jesus does for those who believe in him, isn't it comforting to know that Jesus is inviting people to believe in him?  This is the work of God that he mentioned to the crowd earlier (v29).  Come to Jesus and believe in him.  He will satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst.


The Father: All that The Father Gives

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 6:37

It is certainly comforting to know that all whoever comes to Jesus will not be cast out.  However, what did Jesus mean when he said "All that the Father gives me will come to me"?  Jesus is addressing the fact that the crowd has seen Jesus and do not believe in him.  Why did they not believe when they saw Jesus when others saw Jesus but instead believed?  The answer is that they were given by the Father.

It can be quite concerning that those who come to Jesus are given by the Father.  Some may wonder whether they are those in the "given" category or not.  People may wonder whether or not life is worth living if you are simply in the "not given" category.  First of all, Jesus follows up these words by saying "and whoever comes to me I will never cast out".  Take comfort in the fact in these words.  You shouldn't worry about which category you're in, but you should instead be encouraged to come to Jesus.

One other thing that may be worth mentioning is that there aren't many differentiating factors.  In other words, there isn't some sort achievement that needs to be made in order to be given by the Father.  It's not as if God gives those who are smarter or bigger or richer.  In fact, it is often the opposite.  Throughout the bible you can see many stories of God choosing those who are low to do his mighty works.


The Father: The Will of The Father

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:38-40

Why does Jesus do what he does?  Why will he not cast out those who come to him?  The answer is that Jesus is doing the will of The Father.  All that he does is as a result of him following the will of The Father.  This shows Jesus' obedience and selflessness.  It's not about what he wants, but it's about what The Father wants.

So what is the will of The Father?  Jesus actually gives two answers to this question.  The first answer is found in verse 39:

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

John 6:39

The Father's will is that Jesus lose nothing of all that has been given to him by the Father. Those who have been given will not be lost and they will be raised up on the last day.  Jesus will accomplish it and he will not fail.  This is the will of The Father.

The second answer is found in verse 40:

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:40

The Father's will is "that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life".  Both answers actually go together quite nicely.  Not wanting Jesus to lose any of those who have been given and having everyone who look and believe in the Son have eternal life is one in the same.  Both are solved by Jesus raising them up in the last day.  I guess that's why both verses end with that.


Conclusion

Come to Jesus.  Truly come to Jesus.  Believe in him.  He is the bread of life.  He will satisfy your hunger and your thirst.  He will not cast you out.  Come to Jesus.