John 7

Notes

Verses 1-24:

What is the feast of the booths? - Explain

-Exodus 23; Lev. 23; Deuteronomy 16

-Jesus’ reference to water and light is a direct connection to the Feast of Booths

Seems like his family had bad motives because John says that they did not believe.

-They believed he could do miracles, but did not believe yet that he was the Savior of the world

“My time has not yet come”

—Really interesting study on the words for time here. Kairos versus hora versus chrono

Jesus says he won’t go, but then goes. Why? How to explain this?

—Time here is referencing time to go to Jerusalem, not time in the eternal cross focused sense. really interesting. Need to see who else holds that view.

The crossroad continues in the eyes of those who are witnessing Jesus. Who is this guy?

-Is he a good guy, a liar, a deceiver?

Verse 14: DA makes a good point that Jesus’ was not concerned with privacy, but with the timing of the Father.

Verse 15 - what are his credentials?

Jesus is commenting on rabbinical study. Rabbis would not teach their own thoughts but those that came before them. Jesus says, yeah I do that too, my teaching comes from the Father.

Jesus constantly draws them back to the real issues at heart. Jesus claims deity again, or at minimum a close relationship with the Father. And in so doing, claims authority.

Verse 21 - The one miracle is most likely healing the man who was paralyzed on the Sabbath.

Hypocrisy

Verses 25-36:

The people are wrestling what to do with Jesus. Is he Christ or is he not?

Jesus’ words are a stunning condemnation on these people. The Jews prided themselves on knowing God. And Jesus says, since the law wrote about me, then you don’t know the law which means you do not know God.

Maybe use the CS Lewis quote here

I think it seems that Jesus is showing judgement towards these people. Hear but not hear. Seek but will not find. Or it could be just a reference to his resurrection and accession.

Verses 37-39:

Reiterates what he has said twice now. Hunger and thirst. Could bring in Matthew 5 as a cross reference. Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness?

What is the Scripture reference here?

DA thinks it is Nehemiah 9 - which is a solid connection. Lots of water references in the OT

Verses 40-52:

People still do not know what to believe about Jesus.

The Pharisees want to arrest and kill him, but there are still those that are intrigued by Jesus’ words and teaching

People will see what they want to see when blinded by sin