Bible Study series: John 7:10-13. Jesus followed his Father’s timing.
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Let’s begin.
Scripture: John 7:10-13
10 But after his brothers went up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but (as it were) in secret. 11 So the Jews were looking for him at the feast and were saying, “Where is that man?” 12 Many in the crowds were murmuring about him. Some were saying, “He is a good man,” but others were saying, “No, but he deceives the crowd.” 13 However, no one was saying anything openly about him, for fear of the Jews. (John 7:10-13)
Comments
10:
In the previous pericope (pronounced puh-RIH-koh-pea) or unit or section of Scripture, I already answered the question of why Jesus delayed his going up to Jerusalem and appeared to not be willing to go up at all but then changed his mind. Now, however, he received permission to go up in the manner and at the time of his Father’s choosing. In an earlier scene, Jesus resisted his family (his mother) and worked the miracle of turning the water into wine:
4 Jesus said to her, “What is that to you and me, woman? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” (John 2:4-5)
Jesus insisted on doing things his Father’s way, and this time the miraculous transformation provided a teachable moment. He can transform lives. So now Jesus goes up to Jerusalem in the manner and time of his Father’s and his own choosing.
Mounce says that Jesus going up secretly merely means that he was not going up in a large caravan, but by himself (see Luke 2:42-44) (comment on v. 10). However, Klink says that Jesus going up in secret is designed to go in the opposite direction from the advice of his brothers—no honor-seeking display demanded by his brothers but shame-bearing display as assigned to him by his Father (cf. 3:14) (Klink, comment on v. 10). Recall what Carson explained. Jesus said no to his brothers’ request and their timing; he did not categorically and sweepingly say he would never go up this year. And recall what Klink said. Jesus went up when the Father told him to and in the manner God intended: to fulfill the tabernacle feast. He is the one who “tabernacled” among humanity (1:14). John often plays with the meaning of words, deepening them, as he does here.
11-13:
“the Jews”: in this context they are the Jerusalem religious establishment and their acolytes.
“That man” drips with condescension and suspicion.
The crowds of people were divided. It is likely that the Galileans, who came up for the feast, favored him, along with some cured and impressed Jerusalemites and Judeans, while the bulk of the Jerusalemites and Judeans did not like him. To them, Galileans were almost foreign, or at least they were hicks from the sticks.
“good man” echoes the words of the seeker who called Jesus good (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19). It reflects the theme in Deuteronomy that goes beyond a generic compliment but reflects the goodness of God and the character of God (Klink, comment on v. 12).
Neither side, however, dared to speak openly, because they feared the backlash from the Jewish establishment. If he was the Messiah, then he would take over, and their negative public opinion might work against them. If he were not the Messiah, then they would eliminate him, and their positive public opinion might work against them.
At his crucifixion, the Jerusalem establishment thought they had eliminated him, but his resurrection and ascension proved them wrong and vindicated him.
GrowApp for John 7:10-13
1. What was your opinion about Jesus before your conversion? What is it after your conversion?
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12. Eyewitness Testimony in John’s Gospel
4. Church Fathers and John’s Gospel
3. Archaeology and John’s Gospel
SOURCES
For the bibliography, click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 