John 7:1-24


"After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, 'Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.' For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.' After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, 'Where is he?' And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, 'He is a good man,' others said, 'No, he is leading the people astray.' Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, 'How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?' So Jesus answered them, 'My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?' The crowd answered, 'You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?' Jesus answered them, 'I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.'" (John 7:1-24 ESV)


God's Timing and Obedience

In John 7:1-9, we see the tension between Jesus and His brothers, who did not believe in Him at the time. They urged Jesus to go to the Feast of Booths and perform His works publicly, seeking recognition. However, Jesus remained obedient to the Father’s timing, saying, “My time has not yet fully come” (v. 8). This emphasizes a crucial principle in discipleship: we are to rely on God’s timing rather than seek our own glory or agenda. Jesus knew that stepping into the public eye prematurely would lead to unnecessary conflict and distract from the purpose of His mission.

Jesus' obedience to the Father's will teaches us the importance of waiting on God. Often, we may face pressure from others, even those close to us, to act according to human wisdom. However, as disciples of Christ, we must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and rely on God's timing for everything. This requires humility and patience, trusting that God knows the right time for everything to unfold.

Scriptures to Study:

Ecclesiastes 3:1, Galatians 6:9, Psalm 27:14, Romans 8:28


The Source of True Teaching

In John 7:14-18, Jesus enters the temple and begins teaching. His words astonish the crowd, as He speaks with authority despite never having received formal religious education. Jesus clarifies that His teaching comes directly from God, not from human sources. He emphasizes that those who truly desire to do God's will shall discern the truth of His words. "If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority" (v. 17).

This principle is critical for us today as followers of Christ. We are called to be discerning about the teachings we receive, ensuring that they align with God's Word. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and as we walk in obedience to God, He grants us the discernment to recognize whether teachings are from Him. True spiritual knowledge is not simply intellectual, but relational—it flows from a heart surrendered to God’s will.

Scriptures to Study:

Proverbs 2:6, John 16:13, 1 John 2:27, James 1:5


Judging with Righteous Judgment

In the final section of this passage (John 7:19-24), Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. They accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath by healing a man, while they themselves perform circumcisions on the Sabbath without question. Jesus exposes their inconsistency, pointing out that they are more concerned with appearances and legalistic traditions than with the true intent of God's law. "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (v. 24).

This challenge to judge righteously speaks directly to us as disciples. We are often tempted to make judgments based on external factors—appearance, status, or tradition—rather than seeking God's perspective. Righteous judgment requires us to be led by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to see beyond outward circumstances to the heart of the matter. When we rely on God's wisdom, we can discern truth from falsehood and justice from injustice, avoiding superficial or self-serving judgments.

Scriptures to Study:

James 2:1-4, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 7:1-5, Isaiah 11:3-4


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