John, Chapter 7, A brief Commentary— Division Over Jesus

A Collision of Worlds: Jesus at the Feast of Booths.

During the vibrant and celebratory Feast of Booths in Jerusalem, a different kind of gathering was taking place. As crowds flocked to the city for this annual festival, Jesus arrived, not publicly as his brothers had urged, but in private, avoiding the attention of those who sought to harm him. This chapter of John’s Gospel captures a critical turning point where Jesus’s public ministry in Jerusalem intensifies, revealing the profound division he creates and the divine truth he embodies.

The Unbelieving Family and the Perfect Timing.

Jesus’s own brothers, who at this point did not believe in him, urged him to go to the feast in Judea to gain more public recognition. They challenged him to “show yourself to the world,” believing that his miraculous works should not be hidden. Jesus, however, operated on a different timetable. He explained that his “time” had not yet come, while their time was always ready. He knew the world hated him because he testified against its evil deeds, and a premature public appearance could lead to his death before the appointed moment. Instead of traveling with the pilgrim caravans, he went to the feast “in a manner secretly,” in his own time and on his own terms.
This passage underscores a fundamental contrast: humanity’s desire for immediate, visible glory versus the divine plan that unfolds with perfect timing and purpose. Jesus’s journey was not a pursuit of fame but a fulfilment of his mission.

The Debate in the Temple.

When Jesus finally appeared in the temple courts, his teaching captivated and perplexed the crowd. They were astonished by his deep understanding of scripture, asking, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” This observation was an important admission by the religious leaders that Jesus’s wisdom did not come from any rabbinical school, challenging any human explanation for his authority.
In response, Jesus revealed the source of his wisdom: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” He presented a powerful principle: anyone who truly desires to do God’s will can discern whether his teaching is divine or from his own authority. He who speaks for his own glory is false, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true. This principle acts as a filter for spiritual truth, highlighting that a pure heart is the key to true understanding.

Judging by Appearances.

Jesus then confronted his opponents with their own hypocrisy, referencing his earlier healing of a man on the Sabbath. He pointed out that they would perform a circumcision on the Sabbath to obey the law of Moses, a practice passed down from their ancestors. If this was acceptable, why were they so angered that he had made a man’s entire body well on the same day? His powerful message was simple and direct: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” He exposed their superficial, letter-of-the-law thinking, urging them to look past outward forms and see the true spirit of the law, which is rooted in compassion and healing.
This exchange reveals the tension between rigid religious tradition and the living; breathing will of God. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and seek a deeper, more righteous understanding.

Confusion and Division.

As Jesus continued to teach, the crowd became a mix of awe and bewilderment. Some of the citizens of Jerusalem, aware of the plot to kill him, marvelled that he was speaking openly and the authorities were doing nothing. This led some to wonder, “Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?” Others were sceptical, claiming they knew where he was from—Nazareth—while the Messiah’s origin was expected to be mysterious and from Bethlehem.
Jesus responded to their confusion by loudly proclaiming, “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.” He wasn’t just a man from Nazareth; he was sent by God, whom they didn’t truly know. This statement left them so enraged that they sought to arrest him, but no one could, because his “hour had not yet come.” The people were deeply divided, with many believing in him and others wanting to arrest him.

The Rivers of Living Water.

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus made a monumental proclamation. He stood 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.’“. This statement, according to the commentary, was in reference to the Holy Spirit, who had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified through his death and resurrection. The feast celebrated the drawing of water from the Pool of Siloam to be poured on the altar, a ritual of immense joy and a symbol of God’s provision.
By declaring himself the source of “living water,” Jesus positioned himself as the ultimate fulfilment of the feast’s symbolism and the true source of spiritual life. This was the ancient prophecy of God’s Spirit being poured out, now made a reality through him.

The Unflinching Truth and an Impotent Rage.

When the officers sent to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed, the chief priests and Pharisees were furious. Their agents explained their failure with a simple, profound statement: “No one ever spoke like this man!” This noble testimony from unsophisticated men speaks to the divine authority and power of Jesus’s words. The religious leaders dismissed this, calling the crowd “accursed” for not knowing the law.
Nicodemus, a member of the council who had previously met with Jesus, timidly spoke up, asking if their law judged a man without first giving him a hearing. He was met with scorn and taunts, a sign of their blind rage. This entire episode reveals the impotence of human hostility against divine purpose. They could not arrest him because his hour had not yet come. The ultimate control remained in the hands of God, not man.
This chapter is a powerful illustration of the inherent division that truth creates. Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem forced everyone to choose a side, revealing hearts and exposing motives. His words were not just a source of information but a divine force that separated belief from unbelief.