Matthew Henry Commentary John 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
John 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
John 7
"And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest. For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world. For even his brethren did not believe on him. Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil. Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled. And having said these things unto them, he abode [still] in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret. The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray. Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews." — John 7:1-13 (ASV)
The brothers or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages.
The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favored him dared not openly avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers speak out, while many who favor them fear reproach by avowing regard for them.
"But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or [whether] I speak from myself. He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me? The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee? Jesus answered and said unto them, I did one work, and ye all marvel because thereof. Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man. If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." — John 7:14-24 (ASV)
Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own discovery, but is from God's word, through the teaching of His Spirit. Amid the disputes that disturb the world, if anyone, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, they will know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether humans speak on their own. Only those who hate the truth will be given over to errors that will be fatal.
Surely it was as consistent with the purpose of the Sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on His conduct according to the spiritual significance of the Divine law. We must not judge anyone by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.
"Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill? And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is. Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me. They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come." — John 7:25-30 (ASV)
Christ proclaimed aloud that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent by God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration—that they did not know God—along with his claim to unique knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him, but God can tie people's hands, though he does not turn their hearts.
"But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done? The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him. Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come. The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?" — John 7:31-36 (ASV)
The discourses of Jesus convinced many that he was the Messiah, but they did not have the courage to acknowledge it. It is a comfort to those who are in the world but not of it, and who therefore are hated by it and weary of it, that they will not be in it always, that they will not be in it long.
Our days being evil, it is well they are few. The days of life and of grace do not last long; and sinners, when in misery, will be glad of the help they now despise. People dispute about such sayings, but the event will explain them.
"Now on the last day, the great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet [given]; because Jesus was not yet glorified." — John 7:37-39 (ASV)
On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews drew water and poured it out before the Lord. It is thought that Christ alluded to this. If anyone desires to be truly and forever happy, let them turn to Christ and be ruled by Him. This thirst signifies strong desires for spiritual blessings, which nothing else can satisfy. Therefore, the sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit were what Jesus meant by the waters He invited them to come to Him and drink.
This comfort flows abundantly and constantly like a river, and is as strong as a stream to overcome the opposition of doubts and fears. There is a fullness in Christ, of grace for grace. The Spirit dwelling and working in believers is like a fountain of living, running water, from which abundant streams flow, cooling and cleansing like water.
We do not expect the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, but we may seek His more common and more valuable influences. These streams have flowed from our glorified Redeemer, down to our present age, and to the remote corners of the earth. May we be eager to make them known to others.
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