John 7:11-19

¹¹Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for Him and asking, "Where is that Man?" ¹²Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about Him. Some said, "He is a good Man." ¹³Others replied, "No, He deceives the people." But no one would say anything publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. ¹⁴Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. ¹⁵The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this Man get such learning without having studied?" ¹⁶Jesus answered, "My teaching is not My own. It comes from Him who sent Me. ¹⁷If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own. ¹⁸He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. ¹⁹Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill Me?"

John explains that the brothers of Jesus were not the only ones expecting His presence at the Feast. All of the common people – those who knew about Jesus and His ordinary methods during the first year or two of His ministry – were looking for Him there, and there was widespread gossip over who He was. But even those who believed that Jesus is a “good Man” fail to believe in Him as the Son of God and promised Messiah. This fact will become clear as the dialog between Jesus and the Jews unfolds over the next few days. Notice, as we did with “world,” the various meanings of “The Jews.” This one is perhaps more difficult to discern, as it has cultural imprints on the meaning. The first group of Jews mentioned (v11) is the crowd of common Jewish people. The second group of Jews mentioned (v13) is that of the rulers, the leadership, the governing body of Jews. It is crucial here to notice the condition of God’s Church.

The common Jews were hungry for the promised redemption; yet, when Christ appeared to them, there was confusion. Some remained in suspense, and others flat out rejected Him; there was a variety of opinions, shared only through murmuring and secret gossip. Calvin says, “That [the common Jews] whisper secretly is an indication of the tyranny which the priests and scribes exercised over them. It is a shocking exhibition, indeed, that this Church, which was at that time the only Church on earth, is here represented to us as a confused and shapeless chaos. They who rule, instead of pastors, hold the people oppressed by fear and terror, and throughout the whole body there is shameful desolation and lamentable disorder.”

Jesus arrived secretly, but eventually made His presence known to everyone by publicly teaching in the temple courts. How was He able to do this? Teaching time had been common during the ancient times of this festive celebration, but in more recent times, the teachers had failed to step up with any message to deliver. It might be akin to a worship service with no sermon, which is fine, except that the pulpit remained, and there had traditionally been a message. Activities were carrying on. Jesus simply made His way to the pulpit and began speaking. This happened halfway through the Feast when most everyone who was coming had arrived by now.

Although Jesus doesn’t perform any miracles here, the authority and power of His teaching is so great that the Jews marvel in amazement and question its origin. They don’t recall Jesus having had any formal education; therefore, they struggle to accept His teaching, though it was remarkable. How sad! But I find myself with the same mentality. I like to find out as much as I can about those who teach me. Once I am comfortable with their background, I appreciate almost everything they say. When someone who I don’t know much about teaches, I automatically treat them and their message as less significant than my favorite teachers.

Jesus responds, saying that His teaching comes straight from the Father, and anyone who desires to do the Father’s will would know that this is the Father’s doctrine. Jesus is telling the crowd, “When you see a teacher with right doctrine not trained in the school of men, know that he has been taught by God. Sound judgment flows from fear and reverence for God, and if your minds are well disposed to the fear of God, you will easily perceive if what he teaches is true or not. If you are entirely devoted to obedience to God, He will certainly give you discernment as your guide.” It brings to mind thoughts of the Bereans, who out of their noble character, tested the words of Paul, whose past they questioned or whom they knew little about, against the Scriptures and found them true. Obeying the clear teachings of God is the best way to discern the more obscure teachings. Don’t argue about whether or not it is right to pray for the dead if your are in the midst of an adulterous relationship. Obey first, then ask questions.

John does not likely include the full text of Jesus’ teaching from this day; rather, he probably gives us only the primary topics in summary form. Nevertheless, we can tell that Jesus is not teaching for His own glory, but for the glory of the Father; and this fact alone should convince the Jews that He is righteous (v18). However, since the people did not even believe the Father (for they were not even willing to follow the law of Moses, which the Father gave to them, as v19 declares), they would not believe in Jesus, but would instead try to kill Him. This murderous intent proves their resistance to the Father’s law. Something other than zealousness for the law of God – for they do not obey it – has excited the Jews to such great rage as to seek to put Him to death. Often times, we may observe the wicked fighting against God and sound doctrine by pretending to do so from pious motives.