We closed yesterday with the comparison of Luke and the fact that the sending of the 70 as Jesus is heading to Jerusalem is left out of John. Matthew Henry suggests, Jesus had to send out the 70 before he went off to Jerusalem. Apparently true but is that the complete answer? Let’s look at the text closer still and deal with some issues.
All the versions except those below have the words “not yet” in this verse. But the word ουπω is not in the earlier texts.
- (BBE) Jesus said to them, My time is still to come, but any time is good for you.
- (GW) Jesus told them, “Now is not the right time for me to go. Any time is right for you.
- (MSG) Jesus came back at them, “Don’t crowd me. This isn’t my time. It’s your time–it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose.
- (NLT) Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for Me to go, but you can go anytime.
“Yet” appeared as a later edited note most likely made to correct the misapprehension that Jesus lied. It is interesting too that the word “now” is not in the original text. What is happening here? Why it is necessary to help Jesus out, to make it seem that he was not lying. It is clear from the text Jesus did not want to go up publically to grandstand and draw attention to himself. (vs 7:10). It was not his time for what? John keeps hammering away on this theme. His time had not yet come :|| What is this referring to? One of John’s themes is that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy One of God. When will this be revealed? Allusions are made to it. Testimony is mounting as to who He is. When will He step up and reveal His glory. Is he or isn’t He the Christ? Will He reveal himself publicly? It has nothing to do with Jesus going up to the Feast or not going. Nor lying to his brothers about going and then going behind their backs. That is NOT what John is focused on. John has a deeper motive. Keep watching for it.
Note too that verse 5 tells us “that even his brothers didn’t believe in him. ”Remember John told us in chapter 2:23-25 that he didn’t entrust himself to those who “believed” because He knew what was in man. Note that there is a continuing refrain about revealing Jesus to be the Messiah prematurely. We see it in this chapter, we saw it in the last chapter where they wanted to take him and make him king (6:15). Many times we can get confused with the text and misinterpret what is going on if we don’t keep the big picture in mind. This section has a number of references to forcing Jesus hand and making him come out publicly.
Note also the ironic use of passages talking about people gaining belief in Jesus. We are told specifically his family doesn’t believe in him.
Could our leaders believe in him? (vs 7:26).
Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in Him (John 7:31)
“Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in Him? This foolish crowd follows Him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. (John 7:48-50) what an ironic use of Nicodemus at that point!
Where does he comes from? – Can any good thing come from Nazareth? Or “Can the good thing (Messiah) come from Nazareth?”
This time we have an ironic switch in verse 7:27 – “But how could He be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, He will simply appear; no one will know where He comes from.”
“Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But He can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” (John 7:40-42)
The Messiah can’t come from Galillee; just like He can’t come from Nazareth. (Inference: not a back country boy from Galilee. Messiah won’t speak like a hillbilly.
No He is just going to appear – because he comes from heaven. Hello! He is here and telling you he has come from heaven but you won’t BELIEVE.
John is very skilfully weaving his themes by using elements clipped together. Nothing short of brilliant. Where does he get all this from? From the Holy Spirit. Read this section over and over and let it soak into you. I did. Read John 6 and John 7 together over and over until you get it. Actually do you want the real inside scoop on John’s gospel? Then do what my Greek professor told our class and read in all through in one sitting 7 times. Then you will get it. Know why he said “7 times”? because that’s the number of perfection. Meaning read it over and over and over until you get it, perfect it.
Just one more before little insight before we leave this chapter:
On the last day, the climax of the festival, [the very day when they are bringing water from the Pool of Siloam] Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me! Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'” (When He said “living water,” He was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in Him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory.) John 7:37-39 His time had not yet come!
Go away and think on these things.
Next Gem we will deal with a knotty textual problem.
When you stop making progress, you’ll start making excuses. When you stop making excuses, you’ll start making progress.
Gery Ong
- “Lord I thank you . . .
- that I haven’t got angry with anyone today
- that I haven’t lost my temper
- that I haven’t lied
- that I haven’t thought bad thoughts about anyone
- that I haven’t wronged anyone in any way.
- Lord I am about to get up now and I am really going to need your help!”