John 7:40-53

⁴⁰On hearing His words, some of the people said, "Surely this Man is the Prophet." ⁴¹Others said, "He is the Christ." ⁴²Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" ⁴³Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. ⁴⁴Some wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him. ⁴⁵Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring Him in?" ⁴⁶"No one ever spoke the way this Man does," the guards declared. ⁴⁷"You mean He has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. ⁴⁸"Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him? ⁴⁹No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law - there is a curse on them." ⁵⁰Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ⁵¹"Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" ⁵²They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." ⁵³Then each went to his own home.

Throughout the rest of the chapter, we see the various responses to Christ’s teaching. Some say that He’s The Prophet of Deuteronomy 18; this is good and makes them reverent and teachable, but it falls short of saving faith. Others say He is the Christ; and they are correct, but still others argue with them, unable to accept that profession, refuting it on account of His residence in Galilee, knowing that the Scriptures claim that the Messiah comes from David’s town of Bethlehem. This third group was so close! They could have easily cleared up the confusion on this if they had taken the initiative to inquire into His birthplace and history. Calvin says, “Such is our natural disposition; in matters of little consequence we are ashamed of being indolent, while, in the mysteries of the heavenly kingdom, we slumber without any concern. It is likewise of importance to observe, that those men are diligent and industrious in seeking an excuse for turning aside from Christ, but, at the same time, are astonishingly slow and dull in receiving sound doctrine. In this manner, out of the Scriptures themselves, which lead us by the hand to Christ, men frequently make obstacles for themselves, that they may not come to Christ.” Most of you know that I’m from Louisville. But do any of you know where I was born? You don’t care, because you’re not contemplating the possibility that I am Messiah. But wouldn’t you have investigated my history a bit further, comparing it the Scriptures, if I was doing miracles and proclaiming to be the Messiah. Lastly note here that disagreements arise because one or more groups are incorrect, compared to the teaching of Christ. That’s how it is for us. When we disagree, it’s because one or both of us are incongruent with Scripture. That’s painful to realize, but let it help us to test ourselves constantly (2 Timothy 2:15).

Note the repeated reality from v44. Some tried to seize Him, but were prevented by the providence of God. It seems so harsh to be so offended by someone that you would seek to do them harm. But that’s what Jesus’ teaching had caused. Matthew 10:34 says, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Luke 12:51 phrases it this way: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Next, the servants of the Pharisees, the temple guards, amazed but unchanged upon hearing Jesus’ authoritative words (Isaiah 11:4), are powerless to seize Him (see John 18:6). So they return from the failed attempt to arrest Jesus. And note the Pharisees’ response: “Why didn’t you bring Him in?” The Pharisees, having clearly made up their minds about Jesus by now (v47), are surprised that their soldiers were unable to capture Jesus. They see themselves as sovereignly powerful and governing unopposed. They fail to realize against whom they are fighting (Acts 5:38-39). They claim to know the law and deny that the mob does; they even claim that the mob is cursed, as if Jesus has some form of demonic power over those who believe in Him. They suggest that if one has any intellectual sense about him, if a person has a significant amount of higher education, then it would be impossible to believe in Jesus. Doesn’t that frame of mind ring true today as well? Furthermore, they make every effort to denounce the questioning of the soldiers. Are you being seduced too? Are you so foolish to fall into His trap? This line of questioning is a tool of Satan to keep those who are near the truth from taking hold of it.

The only glimmer of light to be seen among their ranks is Nicodemus, who, although still timid and weak, is starting to give some evidence that he truly was regenerated and given faith in Christ at the occasion of his nighttime visit to speak with Him. John presents him as neutral on this occasion; his faith may have taken root, but it has not budded and produced fruit yet. He is unwilling to condemn Jesus without hearing from Him, as a result of his one-on-one conversation, but he is far from siding with those who declared Him to be the Christ. Rather, Nicodemus wants to continue the investigation to get more evidence before prosecuting and issuing a verdict so rashly (v51). And his question is rhetorical with a bit of sarcasm. The Pharisees have just claimed to know the law, and Nicodemus is among their group. So he knows the law well, as they claim to; but he points out through a question that they are being rash to condemn Jesus without further investigation under the law’s guidelines. But his own turn on him with criticism, saying, “Are you from Galilee too?” (Anyone from Galilee was held in contempt by the Sanhedrin for being from a mixed-race region with little zeal for the law.) The extreme violence to which they are excited against Nicodemus, shows with what furious hatred they burned against Christ; for he had not avowedly undertaken to defend Christ, but had only said that He ought not to be condemned before He was heard.

Nicodemus was verbally ridiculed here (a form of persecution) for His lack of zeal for the law – so his own group claimed – but he was clearly the one being truly zealous for the law, wanting to hold to it rather than stray from it. The Pharisees, desiring nothing other than to maintain and increase their political sway with the people practically dare Nicodemus to carry out an investigation. And we don’t hear a response from Nicodemus at this point; he is silenced by their mockery. But their charge to him, “Look in to it,” may have prompted him to do just that. Maybe Nicodemus didn’t have all the answers and was still wrestling with the whole thing. Perhaps he learned, ironically upon the Pharisees charge to investigate (they were certain that he’d find nothing in support of Jesus), that Jesus did indeed perfectly fit the Scriptures’ description of the Messiah. And the confirmation of his already weak faith only served to strengthen and encourage him. The next time we hear of Nicodemus, he is assisting in the burial of Jesus, having generously contributed to the anointing of His body. Does persecution – even the slightest degree – cause you to persevere? Rejoice in your sufferings, for they leading to your perseverance, character development, and increased hope in the truth of Jesus.

Some later manuscripts include v53, “Then each went to his own home.” This can be attributed only to the hand of God. With enragement such as this, it couldn’t have ended peacefully apart from God’s providence. They’re ready for violence against defenseless Jesus, and then they just go home. When so formidable a conspiracy is dissolved, who will not acknowledge that they were scattered by the hand of God? His time had not yet come.