V1 A time of teaching in Galilee, not recorded in any detail in John.
V2 The feasts provided an opportunity got Jesus to speak to the people. This time it was the Feast of Tabernacles, see v10, 37.
In 2.13, Passover in Jerusalem; in 5.1, another feast (Pentecost or Tabernacles) in Jerusalem; in 6.2, Passover in Capernaum.
V3-5 Unspiritual advice from unspiritual men. Jesus’ brothers had the audacity to tell Jesus the right way to fulfil His ministry. These were men who did not believe in Him.
V6-10 There was no reason for Jesus’ family not to go to the Feast. Jesus went separately, so that He might be there in secret. His timing and decision were not subject to human opinion.
V11-13 Jesus had already gained some ‘popularity.’ There was some division already; for Christ does bring division; no one can have no opinion.
V14 Jesus did go to the Feast, although partway through.
V15-16 Christ’s teaching clearly carried an authority, with deep knowledge. Since wisdom comes from knowing God, Christ’s wisdom was perfect.
V17 Obedience and truth go together; understanding God’s truth is a fruit of obedience. In contrast, we cannot grow spiritually and increase our understanding if we tolerate disobedience in our own lives. The person who wants to justify his own sins will simply deny the truths of Scripture, or deny its accuracy (‘It doesn’t really mean that!’).
V18 Jesus speaks of Himself, true and righteous, willing to have His life and testimony examined.
V19-23 Jesus referred to Moses; he spoke to Jews who would acknowledge Moses as an important man. His words here refer back to the healing of the man at the pool (5.16,18), where Jesus healed him on a Sabbath day, and also spoke of God as His Father.
Jesus spoke of circumcision as good, part of God’s covenant with the people; how much better, He said, that a man be made completely well.
V24 The Jews were guilty of breaking the law (v19) by having someone circumcised on the Sabbath, see Lev 19.15; Prov 24.23; the Lord challenges their hypocrisy and double standards.
V25 Contrast v20; there were those who sought to kill Jesus.
V26-27 The discussion about Christ reflected their unwillingness to believe in Him.
V28-29 Jesus cried out, ‘Will you not believe?’ Ignorance of the Father is ignorance of the Son; away with your doubts and ponderings, believe in Him and worship Him!
V30 There were several attempts to seize Jesus, but He escaped from them. He could not die prematurely.
V31 The fresh challenges brought some to faith. But others held back, thinking that He should perform more signs. The evidence of the gospels is that Jesus performed fewer miracles in Jerusalem.
V32 See v12-13; Christ’s appearance at the Feast became a discussion point; the chief priests and Pharisees became concerned.
V33-34 Jesus points forward to His death, at the next Passover, some 8 months later. His departure was imminent; His mission and person unique. He uses words that can only apply to Himself.
In the other gospels, Jesus’ prediction of His death began around the transfiguration, which John does not record.
V35-36 The Jews did not understand what Jesus meant.
V37 The end of the Feast, people would be physically thirsty; Jesus’ offer is therefore very appropriate; His offer is also greater than anything the Feasts could deliver. Jesus also taught about drinking in chapters 4 and 6.
See Lev 23.33-44, the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of joy, remembering the deliverance from Egypt. This was the final Feast in the Jewish calendar.
The offer, “come to me” is a staggering claim; unless Jesus is God, this is an arrogant but empty promise. As it is, Christ is fully able to deliver what He has promised.
V38 The promise of v37 is dependent upon people believing in Christ, another clear claim to deity. The alternative is that He is blaspheming.
“Heart,” lit. ‘womb;’ streams of living water flow from a fruitful womb; here is spiritual reproduction, implying blessing for others.
“Streams,” or ‘rivers’ imply satisfaction and abundance in Christ.
V39 The wonderful future promise; the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Those who heard Jesus would later share in His life and ministry.
The reference is to the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; Jesus had then been glorified in returning to Heaven.
V40-43 The people were divided because of Jesus; this is important, Matt 10.34-36. His words sift His hearers. Their response is the evidence of sifting.
Since the Messiah’s background is predicted in the O.T., some of the Jews rightly looked to the O.T. to answer the question of Jesus’ Messiah-ship.
V44 See v32; there were those who wanted to arrest Jesus and silence Him, but He remained unmolested; 10.39; Luke 4.30. It was not the time for Jesus to die, so the people could not arrest Him.
V45 The temple guards returned to the chief priests and Pharisees; they had been sent to arrest Jesus, but had failed to do so.
V46 The realisation that no one could improve on Jesus’ words; it was not just what He said, but the power and authority by which He spoke.
V47-49 The Pharisees’ aggressive reaction;
- further reasons for rejecting Jesus;
- the half truth that ‘nobody important has believed in Him;’
- “this mob” is presumably a reference to the common people, who did listen to Jesus; they, it is alleged, were ignorant of the law.
V50-51 Nicodemus was fair and reasonable; ‘Should we not at least consider this man’s claims?’ Such reason was rejected by those who were prejudiced.
V52 The argument of Galilee, v41-42; Matt 2.5-6; they did not know the whole story, and were probably unwilling to hear it.
V53 Following their unfinished discussion, the leaders dispersed.