And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. 3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself publicly to the world.” 5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him. 6 So Jesus *said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I bear witness about it, that its deeds are evil. 8 Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not yet going up to this feast because My time has not yet been fulfilled.” 9 Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.
10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as in secret. 11 So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and saying, “Where is He?” 12 And there was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He leads the crowd astray.” 13 Yet no one was speaking openly about Him for fear of the Jews. John 7: 1-13 LSB
John 7: 1-13
J C Ryle in his prelude to exposition of John 7 writes "That great Scriptural doctrine, man’s need of preventing and converting grace, stands out here (John 7), as if written with a sunbeam. It becomes all who question that doctrine to look at this passage and consider. Let them observe that seeing Christ’s miracles, hearing Christ’s teaching, living in Christ’s own company, were not enough to make men believers. The mere possession of spiritual privileges never yet made any one a Christian. All is useless without the effectual and applying work of God the Holy Ghost. No wonder that our Lord said in another place, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44.) The true servants of Christ in every age will do well to remember this. They are often surprised and troubled to find that in religion they stand alone. They are apt to fancy that it must be their own fault that all around them are not converted like themselves. They are ready to blame themselves because their families remain worldly and unbelieving. But let them look at the verse before us. In our Lord Jesus Christ there was no fault either in temper, word, or deed. Yet even Christ’s own “brethren did not believe in Him.” (John 7 Commentary) - Precept Austin
V. 1 And after these things - John 6 closed with many of those, actually the vast majority of His followers, learners, leaving Him after the discussion on the being the Bread from Heaven and taking part in His necessary death as the means to which man could be made right with God. Many liked Jesus and even today many speak well of Him until they really sit down and read His words. Most can tolerate a nice guy who heals and feeds people, but if you believe in the real Jesus then you are able to pick up and read the whole of Scripture and love it because He is the Word become flesh. If you believe in the real Jesus and not one of your fancy then you share the Psalmist sentiment, His words are light and life. If you believe in the real Jesus you will love what He says and then do what He says.
After these things (Jn 3:22, Jn 5:1, Jn 7:1, Jn 19:38, Jn 21:1) - Time phrase - Always pause and ask "What time is it?" The nearest antecedent is John 6 which might be summarized as the Feeding, the Forsaking and the Faithful. If the events in John 6 occurred near the time of the Passover (Jn 6:4) and the events in John 7 occur during the Feast of Booths (Jn 7:2), the time lapse would be about 6 months later. - Precept Austin
14If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. 15If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—… John 14: 14-16
…10With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. 12Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.… Psalm 119: 10-12
…15You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor. 16Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. 17I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.… Jeremiah 15: 15-17
V. 1b For He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him - He came to die, but that time was not yet. He does, as noted before, what He sees the Father doing. Those that read the Bible as a series of historical happenings and then acts of a reactionary God to men's sinful endeavors do so mistakenly. It becomes clear here that God has sovereignly appointed the times, and there is no knee jerk in Him whatsoever.
V. 2 The Feasts of Booths was near - This gives us not only a time line but also references one of the great Jewish festivals. Booths or tabernacles, commemorates the time of the Jewish people after their Exodus from Egypt. A booth or tabernacle is a tent, dwelling place. For forty years the people lived in tents in the wilderness, a people too great in number to survive in such a way. God fed them for all these years and provided water for them. It is said of Christ that He tabernacled with us. During this festival people build temporary shelters, those that live in the city would build them on their roofs, and they would teach their children about the time of their forefathers in the wilderness.
13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”… John 1: 13-15
Leviticus 23:33-43+ Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD. 35 ‘On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. 36‘For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work. 37 ‘These are the appointed times of the LORD which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, to present offerings by fire to the LORD–burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each day’s matter on its own day– 38 besides those of the sabbaths of the LORD, and besides your gifts and besides all your votive and freewill offerings, which you give to the LORD. 39 ‘On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. 40 ‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 ‘You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 ‘You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43 so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” Leviticus 22: 33-43
It is also mentioned in Zechariah as occurring or celebrated in the Millennial Kingdom. I so look forward to that.
16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 17And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them.… Zechariah 14: 16-17
V. 3 His brothers said to Him, leave here and go into Judea - Kind of creepy since we just read that He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Remember, the devil will also try to tempt Jesus away from the Father's will through Peter as well. Family is a close bond, and there is no one in this world that can hurt me like my wife, and after her my kids. I had a conversation with a man once who asked me if homosexuality was wrong in my opinion? I told him, I believe the Bible to be God's word and in there He says it is, so yes, my opinion doesn't matter, and God calls it wrong so it is. He said he use to be backward in his thinking like me, but then his daughter came home and announced she was gay, so he rethought things. He said he hoped the day would come when one of my daughters came home and said that, because then I would change my mind. I told him, "I hope not, because God doesn't change and He has no need to, if He calls a thing sin and I am doing that then I am the one that needs to change. It is my hope that I first love God in this and that I love my daughter enough to take her back to what He says. In the end you do your daughter no great service by choosing her over God." I have been at a deacon's house where he was proud of his son's fornication. I have worked for a man who did not discipline one of his employees who was caught stealing because they were friends and he just wrote it off as, "that's just him, he doesn't mean anything bad by it." Our culture today thinks that diversity and inclusion means that you have to celebrate other people's sin, but if you do not allow for the opposing argument, if you will not allow that there are those who disagree, but do so in love, then you are neither diverse nor inclusive, just deluded.
46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”… Matthew 12: 46-48
36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.… Matthew 10: 36-38
16To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.… Genesis 3: 16-18
…22Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” 23But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 24Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.… Matthew 16: 22-24
V. 4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly - I can just see the Son of God sitting there thinking, "wow, that was deep." They were stating a proverb and I am beginning to feel a bit of a dig as well.
Tasker points out that Jesus' brothers " imagined His glory to be limited to demonstrations of His miraculous powers, whereas in reality it could only be supremely displayed by His crucifixion.” (Borrow The Gospel according to St. John : an introduction and commentary)
Warren Wiersbe on the advice of Jesus' half-brothers - These men certainly had the world's point of view: if you want to get a following, use your opportunities to do something spectacular. Jerusalem would be crowded with pilgrims and this would give Jesus the ideal "platform" to present Himself and win disciples. No doubt the brothers knew that the multitude of disciples had deserted Jesus (John 6:66). This was His opportunity to recoup His losses. Satan had offered a similar suggestion three years before (Matt. 4:1ff). Jesus had already turned down the crowd's offer to make Him King (John 6:15), and He was not about to yield to them in any way. Celebrities might ride to success on the applause of the crowd, but God's servants know better. By doing miracles during the feast, at the "official city," Jesus could muster a crowd, reveal Himself as Messiah, and overcome the enemy. The suggestion, of course, came from hearts and minds blinded by unbelief. (Borrow The Bible Exposition Commentary)
THOUGHT - Sometimes when you are right with God, you will have to ignore suggestions from those who aren’t, even in your own family. - Precept Austin
V. 4b If You do these things show Yourself publicly to the world - There is some jealousy and animosity, and I can't imagine what it would have been like growing up with someone perfect like Jesus, but He is light, and men love darkness, even those of your family. The intros they give are very similar to Jesus' greatest enemy.
…5Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”… Matthew 4: 5-7
V. 5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him - Here is their real problem, they were like the crowds, set in their minds on how things should be. Watch the world, and even some who claim to not be a part of it, when they hear someone they are related to or know is coming into wealth, they convince themselves that some part of that is deserved by them. Why? Because they know you and they want it. The world can never stop letting you know how much they have done for you and others either, always demanding your loyalty, always wanting you to feel indebted. If Jesus makes Himself known, if He takes over Israel and sets up the Kingdom now, then His brothers must wonder, what part of that will we rule. Also of note, for you Roman Catholics out there, Jesus had brothers, different fathers but the same mother, so Mary did not remain a virgin her whole life. Stop the goddess worship and come out of her.
…13When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,… Acts 1: 13-15
…2When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles? 3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him. 4Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”… Mark 6: 2-4
V. 6 My time is not here yet, but your time is always here - The times are fixed by God, everything happens at it's appointed time, and Jesus is on the Father's schedule, perfectly. The time spoken of in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 is getting close, but His brothers are not conscious of that. Almost everyone seems to have forgotten that, or skipped over it, misinterpreted it in favor of their own desires.
6So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”… Acts 1: 6-8
…12But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations. 13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor — the appointed time has come. 14For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.… Psalm 102: 12-14
But (term of contrast) your time (kairos) is always opportune (hetoimos) - NJB = "but for you any time is the right time." Jesus is saying His brothers could go to the feasts in Jerusalem any time they desired as the Jews were not seeking their lives (that this is the major emphasis is underscored by Jesus' next words about hatred from the world). His words also clearly imply that His brothers had no concept of God's plan of redemption and the need for the Lamb of God to be sacrificed. - Precept Austin
V. 7 That it's deeds are evil - This is why the world hates Jesus, because He bears witness that it's deeds are evil. Too many times I see Christians, especially young ones, met with the hate or concerns of this world and they quickly bend. They can't bear to be made fun of, disliked, or alone, and so they choose to be silent on everything. No one wanted to kill Jesus's brothers yet because they had not come to believe, they did not have that conviction in themselves so they could offer none to others. They were not yet born again. If your life bears witness to good, to God, people will notice, and it won't be friendly like you would expect. It will pretend at friendship as it tries to dim your light.
…15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.… Matthew 5: 15-17
…15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.… Galatians 4: 15-17
…11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men! 12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. 13A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.… Proverbs 15: 11-13
7You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. 8For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. 9If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.… Jeremiah 20: 7-9
V. 10 Not publicly, but as in secret - Why did He go up at all? That's easy, look back at Leviticus 23 posted above, and you will see that this is a perpetual statute. He will fulfill all righteousness, and this is God's law so He will do this as unto the Father. It need not be before men, but God sees even the secret things. It is not time for Him to be presented as Messiah, for at that time it will be Passover and He will be the sacrificial Lamb that God is presenting.
…3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.… Matthew 6: 3-5
J C Ryle on Not openly, but … in secret - This probably only means that our Lord did not go in the caravan, or large company of His kinsmen, who according to custom went up together from Galilee, but in a more private manner.—How large the caravans or gatherings of fellow-travellers going up to the three great feasts must have been, we may easily see from the account of our Lord being not missed by Mary and Joseph at first, when He went up to Jerusalem with them at the age of twelve. “Supposing Him to have been in their company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.” (Luke 2:44.)—Our Lord never sought publicity but once, and that was when He entered Jerusalem, at the last passover, just before His crucifixion. Then He wanted to draw attention to the great sacrifice He was about to offer up on the cross. The contrast between His conduct on that occasion and the present one is very remarkable. (John 7 Commentary) - Precept Austin
V. 12 He is a good man - Some were saying this, and many still say this today and yet do not know Him. He is far more than that, He is man, but He is also God. He is the Messiah Who will take the thrown of David, but He is also the Lamb that was slain. He is love, yet He is also a judge. He is also the only way to be right with God.
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