Chapter 7

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 7• We must serve God, even if our own family

opposes (John 7:1-9)!• If one truly wants to find the truth, he will (John

7:17; cf. Jer. 29:13; Mt. 5:6; 2 Thess. 2:10)!• We are commanded to judge, using God’s

principles of righteousness in His Word (John 7:24)!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 7• Personal expectations and beliefs can block truth

and acceptance of truth (John 7:27, 35)!• One can know some things (or think to know)

but not actually know the Lord (John 7:26-29)!• If you don’t know what you’re talking about,

keep quiet (John 7:15, 41-42, 49, 52)!

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”

“There was a division among the people because of Him” (John 7:43; cf. 9:16; 10:19).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Jewish Leaders Sought to Kill Jesus!– “The Jews” found 60+ times in John (almost half of the total

number in all N.T.).• John often used it to speak of the unbelieving, antagonistic religious

authorities.– They “sought” Jesus continually (not for good, but for evil).

• “The Jews sought Him at the feast…, ‘Where is He?’” (John 7:11).• They “sought to kill Him” (found 4 times in this chapter—7:1, 19, 20, 25).• They “sought to take Him” (found 3 times in this chapter—7:30, 32, 44).• They would not sit idly by while some started to believe in Jesus (7:32).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Jewish Leaders Sought to Kill Jesus!– Jesus said that they hated Him (John 7:7).

• Hated Him b/c He testified that their works were evil (7:7; cf. 3:19-21).• Hated Him b/c He spoke the truth about their hearts (cf. 5:39; 6:26).• Became “angry with Him” because He healed on the Sabbath (7:23).

– They mocked Jesus—His teachings and His signs.• “How has this Man become learned, having never been educated?” (15).• “Where does He intend to go?...among the Greeks and teach the

Greeks?” (7:35).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• His Own Brothers Did Not Believe in Him (John 7:2-5).– They treated Him and spoke to Him with scornful attitude

(John 7:3-4).– They ridiculed Him and seemingly wanted to put Him in

harm’s way (John 7:1-4).– They misunderstood the nature of His ministry & did not

believe in His deity (John 7:3-4).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Multitudes Were Confused!– “There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning

Him” (7:12, ASV).– “No one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews” (John 7:12).

• Feared if they spoke favorably of Him – become targets of the rulers.• Feared if they spoke against Him – council had not actually ruled yet.

– They were confused by the reaction (and non-reaction) of the authorities (7:25-27).• Jesus spoke openly in the temple, yet those who wanted to kill Him did

nothing.• Had the rulers determined He really was the Christ and were not

revealing it?

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Multitudes Were Confused—Some Believed in Him!– “Some said, ‘He is good’” (John 7:12).– “Many of the people believed in Him” (John 7:31).

• They properly reasoned—“How could the Messiah do any more than He has?”

– Some who heard Him said, “Truly this is the Prophet” (John 7:40; cf. Deut. 18:15-18).

– “Others said, ‘This is the Christ’” (John 7:41; the Messiah of the O.T.).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Multitudes Were Confused—Some Were Still

Skeptical and Unbelieving!– “Others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people’” (12).– “The Jews marveled”—not in admiration, but rather contempt

(John 7:15, 21).– In antagonism & ignorance, “You have a demon. Who is seeking

to kill You?” (7:20).– Ignorant of the Scriptures, they wrongfully concluded what could

be known (7:27).– Ignorant of the place of Jesus’ birth, they wrongfully dismissed

Him (John 7:41b-42).

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• The Unbiased Response Came from the Temple Officers,

Who Were Sent to Take Him.– “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46).

• Jesus spoke with divine authority, speaking for the Father and Himself.• Jesus addressed the hearts & consciences of men, touching their

greatest needs.– No man could ever speak like Jesus did, for Jesus was no

ordinary man!

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• Jesus Remained True to His Mission and to His Father!– “My time has not yet come” (7:6-8). The right time & motive.– “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me…it is from God”

(John 7:16-17).– He did not seek His own glory, but He sought the glory of His

Father (John 7:18).• Not motivated by selfishness. But by righteousness & keeping God’s will.

– He called for all to come to Him & embrace His teaching (7:37).• If they’d trust Him & obey His Word, they’d be a blessing to others (38).• The Word (revealed by the Spirit) would quench the thirst of all who

would hear.

An Overview/Theme of John 7: “Division Among the People Over Jesus”• Jesus Addressed Head-On Those Who Sought to Destroy

Him—Led to Division.– He pointed out how inconsistent they were in enforcing the law

(John 7:19-24).• Commanded not to labor on Sabbath, but they would circumcise on the

Sabbath.• Then became angry with Jesus for making man’s whole body well on the

Sabbath.– He told them that if they rejected Him as the Christ they did not

know God (7:28-29).– He told the Jewish leaders they could not go to heaven in their

condition (7:33-34).

How Chapter 7 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• Jesus referred to the Father five times as the One who sent Him.• Jesus referred back to the sign He did on the Sabbath.• Jesus spoke of His intimate, unified relationship with the Father.• The people recognized that He was the Christ. Who could ever do

more signs?• Jesus spoke of His impending death and ascension back to heaven.• The Scripture actually does prove He is the Christ, even if man

can’t see it.