João 7
Bruce Hurt · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 7
(John Commentaries) Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Chart from Charles Swindoll John 7:1 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. BGT John 7:1 Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα περιεπάτει ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ· οὐ γὰρ ἤθελεν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ περιπατεῖν, ὅτι ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀποκτεῖναι. KJV John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. NET John 7:1 After this Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He stayed out of Judea because the Jewish leaders wanted to kill him. CSB John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him. ESV John 7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. NIV John 7:1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. NLT John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. NRS John 7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. NJB John 7:1 After this Jesus travelled round Galilee; he could not travel round Judaea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. NAB John 7:1 After this, Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. YLT John 7:1 And Jesus was walking after these things in Galilee, for he did not wish to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him, GWN John 7:1 Jesus later traveled throughout Galilee. He didn't want to travel in Judea because Jews there wanted to kill him. BBE John 7:1 After this, Jesus went from place to place in Galilee. He did not go about in Judaea, because the Jews were looking for a chance to put him to death. RSV John 7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee; he would not go about in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. NKJ John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. ASV John 7:1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. MIT John 7:1 Afterward Jesus was traveling around in Galilee, for he wanted to avoid the southern province where the Jews kept seeking to assassinate him. walking: John 4:3,54 10:39,40 11:54 Lu 13:31-33 Ac 10:38 because: John 7:19,25 Jn 5:16-18 Mt 10:23 21:38 John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Jesus’ Journey from Galilee to Jerusalem THE GATHERING STORM Ryrie's Outline of John 7-10 At the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem, John 7:1-10:21 1. Debate #1--the discourse, John 7:1-29 2. The reactions, John 7:30-36 3. Debate #2--the discourse, John 7:37-39 4. The reactions, John 7:40-53 5. Debate #3--the discourses, John 8:1-58 6. The reaction, John 8:59 7. Debate #4--the miraculous sign, John 9:1-12 8. The reactions, John 9:13-41 9. Debate #5--the discourse on the Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18 10. The reactions, John 10:19-21 (SOURCE: Borrow Ryrie Study Bible ) John 7 shows the progressively increasing opposition to Jesus (see depiction on chart above) manifest especially by repeated threats to kill Him (John 7:1,13,19,25,30,32,44; Jn 8:37,40,59). John MacArthur sets the context for John 7:1-8:59 noting that "The main thrust of this section can be summarized as "high intensity hatred" since the smoldering dislike of Jesus in chaps. 5, 6 erupted into a blazing inferno. The culmination of this hatred occurs in Jn 11:45-57 where the Jewish authorities plot to kill the Son of God, culminating ultimately in His crucifixion. Both chapters deal with Jesus at the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, in Jerusalem. Especially noteworthy is the fact that two major themes associated with Tabernacles, i.e., water and light, come to prominence in these two chapters (Jn 7:37-39; Jn 8:12). At the next Passover following this celebration of Tabernacles, Jesus was crucified. The central truth that dominates this whole passage is that Jesus was on a divine timetable. His life was not random, but operated according to God's sovereign and perfect timing and direction."....walking in Galilee. Chapter 6 indicates Jesus spent two days with the multitude of 20,000 people (Jn 6:22), but He spent 7 months teaching His 12 disciples who believed in Him. This phrase subtly highlights the great importance of discipleship, for Jesus concentrated great lengths of time upon training His future spiritual leaders.(Borrow MacArthur Study Bible) J C Ryle in his prelude to exposition of John 7 writes "That great Scriptural doctrine, man’s need of preventing and converting grace, stands out here (John 7), as if written with a sunbeam. It becomes all who question that doctrine to look at this passage and consider. Let them observe that seeing Christ’s miracles, hearing Christ’s teaching, living in Christ’s own company, were not enough to make men believers. The mere possession of spiritual privileges never yet made any one a Christian. All is useless without the effectual and applying work of God the Holy Ghost. No wonder that our Lord said in another place, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44.) The true servants of Christ in every age will do well to remember this. They are often surprised and troubled to find that in religion they stand alone. They are apt to fancy that it must be their own fault that all around them are not converted like themselves. They are ready to blame themselves because their families remain worldly and unbelieving. But let them look at the verse before us. In our Lord Jesus Christ there was no fault either in temper, word, or deed. Yet even Christ’s own “brethren did not believe in Him.” (John 7 Commentary) After these things (Jn 3:22, Jn 5:1, Jn 7:1, Jn 19:38, Jn 21:1) - Time phrase - Always pause and ask "What time is it?" The nearest antecedent is John 6 which might be summarized as the Feeding, the Forsaking and the Faithful. If the events in John 6 occurred near the time of the Passover (Jn 6:4) and the events in John 7 occur during the Feast of Booths (Jn 7:2), the time lapse would be about 6 months later. As discussed below numerous miracles and associated events occured during this 6 month period. The measure of any church’s success is not the size of its congregation, but the depth of its discipleship. -- John MacArthur John MacArthur makes a very important observation (and interpretation) regarding this 6 month time lapse - The other gospel writers note that during those six months, Jesus traveled the length of Galilee, from Tyre and Sidon, northwest of Galilee (Matt. 15:21–28) to Decapolis, in the southeast (Mark 7:31–37). During that time He performed miracles, including healing (Matt. 15:29–31; Mark 8:22–26), casting out demons (Matt. 15:21–28; 17:14–18), and feeding the four thousand (Matt. 15:32–38). Most of the six months, however, was spent discipling the Twelve. The Lord taught them extensively (Matt. 16:13–27; 17:19–23; 18:1–35), including telling them for the first time of His impending rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection (Matt. 16:21; cf. 17:22–23). He also revealed to the inner circle (Peter, James, and John) a glimpse of His divine glory (Matt. 17:1–8). That Jesus spent only two days with the large crowd (perhaps 20,000 people) mentioned in chapter 6 but six months predominantly involved with the Twelve is highly significant. It shows that the primary focus of the Lord’s ministry was not on mass meetings, but on discipleship. He devoted His time and effort to the small core group of men who would carry on His ministry after He was gone. The Christian church is in large measure the legacy of those eleven men (plus Matthias [Acts 1:26] and Paul [1 Cor. 9:1]), who faithfully discipled their followers who discipled others and so on, down through the centuries to our own day. Discipleship must also be a priority for the church. The Lord did not commission the church to attract large crowds, but to go and make disciples (Mt. 28:19+). Likewise, Paul charged the young pastor Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2Ti 2:2+). The measure of any church’s success is not the size of its congregation, but the depth of its discipleship. (See John Commentary) (Related - See Make Disciples Part 1 of 8) THOUGHT - Let me give you an example of what the "experts" say about the time phrase to emphasize you need to be very careful in what commentaries say (including yours truly). - "Bernard conceives that the events in 7:1–14 follow 7:15–24 and both follow chapter 5, not chapter 6, a wholly needless readjustment of the narrative to suit a preconceived theory." To avoid falling into the trap of misconception in commentaries let me suggest an exercise for every chapter in John (and every chapter in the Bible). Print out a double spaced copy of the chapter in a literal translation (NAS, ESV, KJV). Then pray and take 30-60 minutes to read over the text simply making observations and asking questions that are appropriate for that marking (Who? What? Where? Why? When? How?), marking your observations so they stand out. I use a set of highlighters and highlight time phrases with green, or a green clock face in the margin ("after these things," "My time," etc), underline places with double green, (e.g., Where does the chapter begin and where does most of dialogue take place? Check a map like one above), mark "hinge words" with orange. Just as Hinges are needed to open doors, so too hinge conjunctions can open doors to aid your understanding of a passage or paragraph. Here are the ones I found in John 7: "FOR/BECAUSE - terms of explanation asking "What does this explain, etc?" BUT - term of contrast asking "What is the change of direction?", THEREFORE - term of conclusion asking "What is being concluded and why now, etc?" Then observe for repeated (key) words and mark them in some distinctive way, trying to ask a 5 W/H question each time. Since I know Jesus is key and is so frequent in John 7, I did not mark Him, although one certainly could. The second time I read through the 53 verses I began drawing lines/arrows to related things (e.g., "seeking to kill" Jn 7:1, "seeking Him" Jn 7:11, "seize" Jn 7:30, 32, 44, etc.) You will be amazed at how the chapter begins to unfold. Don't do this as a mechanical exercise but with a desire to hear from Your Father. Read actively and interactively (with the Holy Spirit), not passively like you were reading the newspaper! Enjoy yourself, for you are hunting for precious hidden treasures in His Word. You will be rewarded. And you will get better and better at observing the text. There is much more one could say, but this should get you started. For more detailed discussion see inductive Bible study and observation. Here is John 7 I marked this morning in about an hour. It is not polished but it suits my purpose, to give you a rough idea of what a text looks like marked up. I will use this "template" as I compile comments on John 7. I am sure I missed some key findings, etc. I encourage you to begin to do this and I think you will find study of the chapters begin to bloom like flowers in a garden. Your markings and arrows will not be identical to mine, but the goal is not the markings but the interaction with the Holy Word from God illuminated by His Holy Spirit. Enjoy! (Example - Don't miss the various time phrases - after these things = Jn 7:1; My time is not yet at hand = Jn 7:6; your time = Jn 7:6; My time has not yet fully come = Jn 7:8; when...then = Jn 7:10; Sabbath = Jn 7:22, 23; His hour had not yet come = Jn 7:30; a little while longer = Jn 7:33; the last day = Jn 7:37; not yet given = Jn 7:39) Jesus was walking in Galilee - Locate Galilee on the map above. Where had He walked in John 6? Galilee. So "after these things" could reasonably be linked with John 6. Russell Smith - We have here summarized in one verse what the other gospels focus upon: the Galilean ministry of Jesus. For those who wonder, “Why is the gospel of John so different?” here’s the answer: John was focusing on different things. He had his own story to tell and he didn’t want to spend a lot of time repeating what had already been said. So, what we have here is about a six-month time lag between chapter 6 and chapter 7. For (gar) - What is this term of explanation explaining? Look at the context - John is explaining why Jesus did not desire to walk in Judea (with Jerusalem being the main city in Judea). He was unwilling (ou = absolutely not + thelo) to walk in Judea because (term of explanation) the Jews were seeking (zeteo) to kill Him (Jn 7:19, 25, 30, cf Jn 8:37,40) - He was not afraid to die, because He came to die (Mk 10:45+, Lk 19:10+), but it was to be on His Father's timetable! Seeking is in the imperfect tense indicating this was actively going on, again and again, over and over. One reason they were seeking to kill Jesus is because He threatened their power which they used to control the people through fear (Jn 7:13+, see another reason Jn 5:17-18+ ). When He upset the money-changers’ tables in the temple (Jn 2:14-16+), He threatened their income. How would Jesus have known the Jews (see note on this specific phrase) were seeking to kill Him? One way of course is His supernatural knowledge. Yes, He had laid aside His divine prerogatives in Php 2:5-9+, but He was still God and still able to know what men were thinking (as evidenced multiple times in the Gospels, e.g. Jn 1:47-48+, Jn 2:23-25+). Another way he knew they were seeking to kill Him was from His previous visit to Jerusalem when He healed a lame man on the Sabbath and called God His Father (Jn 5:16-18+) (verse 18 - For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.) As an aside, note that seek is a key word in John 7 (Jn. 7:1; Jn. 7:4; Jn. 7:11; Jn. 7:18; Jn. 7:19; Jn. 7:20; Jn. 7:25; Jn. 7:30; Jn. 7:34; Jn. 7:36) Seeking (2212) zeteo implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. The most common sense of this word is to "seek" which means to go in search or quest of, to look for, to try to discover, to search for by going from place to place. To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to endeavor to find or gain by any means. Zeteo in John - a keyword in John 7 = 10x - Jn. 1:38; Jn. 4:23; Jn. 4:27; Jn. 5:18; Jn. 5:30; Jn. 5:44; Jn. 6:24; Jn. 6:26; Jn. 7:1; Jn. 7:4; Jn. 7:11; Jn. 7:18; Jn. 7:19; Jn. 7:20; Jn. 7:25; Jn. 7:30; Jn. 7:34; Jn. 7:36; Jn. 8:21; Jn. 8:37; Jn. 8:40; Jn. 8:50; Jn. 10:39; Jn. 11:8; Jn. 11:56; Jn. 13:33; Jn. 16:19; Jn. 18:4; Jn. 18:7; Jn. 18:8; Jn. 19:12; Jn. 20:1 Norman Geisler - JOHN 7:1—Why did Jesus fear death and yet tell His disciples not to do so? PROBLEM: John informs us here that “Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.” Yet Jesus said to His disciples, “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body” (Luke 12:4). SOLUTION: Jesus did not fear death; He merely avoided dying prematurely. Before the appropriate time Jesus would say, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4; 8:20). But when “His hour came” (cf. John 12:23), Jesus faced death bravely and courageously. Though humanly speaking Jesus shrunk from the horror of the Cross (see comments on Heb. 5:7b); nevertheless, He prayed, “what shall I say? `Father, save Me from this hour’?” to which He answered with an emphatic no: “But for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27). Jesus knew from the very beginning that He had come to die (cf. John 2:19–20; 10:10–11), and He never hesitated in His resolute purpose “to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). However, to accomplish this as God had ordained and the prophets predicted, Jesus had to watch out for attempts on His life before the appointed time and way. For example, He was to be crucified (cf. Ps. 22:16; Zech. 12:10), not to be stoned, as the Jews sought to do on one occasion (see John 10:32–33). (BORROW When Critics Ask) THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHRIST John 7:1–36 - Croft Pentz I. DENOUNCED—John 7:1–9 A. Plan—John 7:1. The Jews sought to kill Christ. B. Preparation—John 7:2–4. Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. It lasted 7 days (Sept. 15–22)—Leviticus 23:34–44; Deuteronomy 16:13–16; 2 Chronicles 8:13. It was 7 months before the crucifixion. C. Problem—John 7:5. Christ’s own family rejected Him as the Savior. D. Prophecy—John 7:6–9. The prophecy of Christ in the Old Testament as Messiah was not fulfilled as yet. II. DOUBT—John 7:10–13 A. Secret—John 7:10. Christ attended this feast in secret. B. Seeking—John 7:11–12. The Jews sought Christ. Some thought He was a good man. Others thought he was deceiving the people. C. Shame—John 7:13. No one had the courage to stand up for Christ. They were all afraid of reprisals by the leaders. III. DISCUSSION—John 7:14–24 A. Teaching—John 7:14–15. The people were surprised at His teachings, since He had not attended the Jewish schools. B. Teacher—John 7:16–20. 1. Divine—John 7:16. His teaching was from God. 2. Doctrine—John 7:17–18. If His hearers followed God’s Word, they would accept Christ’s words. 3. Denounced—John 7:19–20. Jews broke Moses’ law, why complain about Christ for breaking the Jewish ceremonial laws? C. Test—John 7:21–24. Jews performed circumcision on the Sabbath, but criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. IV. DIVINE—John 7:25–31 A. Confusion—John 7:25–27. Some believed Christ, others not quite sure. B. Christ—John 7:28–29. They knew where He was born, but did not recognize Him as the Son of God. C. Convinced—John 7:31. His wonders and miracles convinced many that He was truly the Messiah. V. DESPISED—John 7:32–36 A. Plan—John 7:32. The Jewish leaders sought to arrest Christ. B. Problem—John 7:33–34. Christ would soon meet death and go to the Father in heaven. They would seek Him, but not find Him on earth. C. Prophecy—John 7:35–36. The people didn’t seem to understand Christ’s prophecy of being with the Father. John 7:2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. Ex 23:16,17 Lev 23:34-43 Nu 29:12-38 De 16:13-16 1Ki 8:2,65 2Ch 7:9,10 Ezr 3:4 Ne 8:14-18 Zec 14:16-19 Feast of Tabernacles - Alfred Edersheim John 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 23:14-17+ “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. 15“You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. 16“Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field. 17“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD. Leviticus 23:33-43+ Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD. 35 ‘On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. 36‘For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the LORD; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work. 37 ‘These are the appointed times of the LORD which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, to present offerings by fire to the LORD–burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each day’s matter on its own day– 38 besides those of the sabbaths of the LORD, and besides your gifts and besides all your votive and freewill offerings, which you give to the LORD. 39 ‘On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. 40 ‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 ‘You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 ‘You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43 so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” Deuteronomy 16:13-15+ “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; 14 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. 15 “Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful. Zechariah 14:16+ Then (THIS IS IN THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM) it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. Calendar of Jewish Feasts THE LORD'S APPOINTED TIMES (Source: Rose Guide to the Tabernacle Excellent Teaching Resource) CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF BOOTHS Bruce Barton - From this chapter forward, John shows Jesus as the suffering Messiah—suffering the unbelief of his own family, the divided opinions of the crowd, and the persecution of the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem. By portraying Jesus’ rejection, John provided his first readers and us with a realistic picture of the costs of being a disciple. Those who followed did so knowingly and willingly. John encourages us to believe, to stand firm, and to resist being like those who opposed and doubted Jesus while he lived on earth. (BORROW John - Life Application Commentary) Now the feast of the Jews (Ioudaios), the Feast (heorte) of Booths, was near (eggus) - Feast of Booths is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Sukkot (note). Jehovah specified 3 annual feasts for which attendance by Jewish males was mandatory: Passover (Pesach)/Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot), Pentecost (Shauvot) AND Tabernacles/Booths (Sukkot). (Ex 23:14-17+, cf Lev 23:33-43; Dt 16:13-15; Zec 14:16 = to even be celebrated in the Millennium!). Josephus says the Feast of Booths was the most popular of all the feasts, so it is reasonable to assume that the city would be packed with people. Related Resource: ALFRED EDERSHEIM'S DISCUSSION OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES Josephus calls the feast of tabernacles “the holiest and greatest feast of the Jews.” The Rabbis said “The man who has not seen these festivities does not know what a jubilee is.”
João 7:37
John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink: En de te eschate hemera te megale tes heortes eistekei (Pluperfect Active) ho Iesous kai ekraxen (AAI) legon (PAP), Ean tis dipsa (PAS) erchestho (PMid or PPass Imperative) pros mekai pineto. (PAM) : THE GREAT INVITATION J C Ryle introduces his comments on John 7:37-39 - The text which heads this message contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that one star excels another in glory. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; but that heart must indeed be cold and dull which does not feel that some verses are peculiarly rich and full. Of such verses, this text is one. (Thirst Relieved) Now (de) - This (Greek "de") is an adversative, but frequently notes transition and here serves to introduce one of the greatest invitations in the Bible. Recall that in the first few chapters of John, Jesus was widely accepted and praised, but beginning in John 6 and John 7 we seeing a rising tide of resentment to His ministry and message (Jn 6:66, 7:1, 19-20, 25). He was beginning to disturb the status quo and ruffle the religious feathers of the Jewish leaders. As you read the Scriptures and encounter words like "now," always take a moment to pause and ponder asking questions (depending on the context) such as when and where is now? In this case (as usually happens), we are forced to examine the context of John 7, in which John records.... Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near...But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, “Where is He?” (Jn 7:2, 10, 11) So the setting of Jn 7:37-39 is in Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Booths. The Feast of Booths occurred in late September, to early October and was one of the three great feasts all males (if they were able) were required to celebrate (Dt 16:16). Josephus, the Jewish historian, referred to the Feast of Booths as the holiest and the greatest of the feasts.
João 7:37-39
John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink: En de te eschate hemera te megale tes heortes eistekei (Pluperfect Active) ho Iesous kai ekraxen (AAI) legon (PAP), Ean tis dipsa (PAS) erchestho (PMid or PPass Imperative) pros mekai pineto. (PAM) : THE GREAT INVITATION J C Ryle introduces his comments on John 7:37-39 - The text which heads this message contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that one star excels another in glory. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; but that heart must indeed be cold and dull which does not feel that some verses are peculiarly rich and full. Of such verses, this text is one. (Thirst Relieved) Now (de) - This (Greek "de") is an adversative, but frequently notes transition and here serves to introduce one of the greatest invitations in the Bible. Recall that in the first few chapters of John, Jesus was widely accepted and praised, but beginning in John 6 and John 7 we seeing a rising tide of resentment to His ministry and message (Jn 6:66, 7:1, 19-20, 25). He was beginning to disturb the status quo and ruffle the religious feathers of the Jewish leaders. As you read the Scriptures and encounter words like "now," always take a moment to pause and ponder asking questions (depending on the context) such as when and where is now? In this case (as usually happens), we are forced to examine the context of John 7, in which John records… Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near… But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, “Where is He?” (Jn 7:2, 10, 11) So the setting of Jn 7:37-39 is in Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Booths. The Feast of Booths occurred in late September, to early October and was one of the three great feasts all males (if they were able) were required to celebrate (Dt 16:16). Josephus, the Jewish historian, referred to the Feast of Booths as the holiest and the greatest of the feasts.
João 7:38
John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water': o pisteuon (PAP) eis eme, kathos eipen (AAI) he graphe, potamoi ek tes koilias autou rheusousin (FAI) hudaton zonton. (PAP): THE GREAT PROMISE Who is saved? How are they saved? The Amplified Version = He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
João 7:39
John 7:39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, Whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified: touto de eipen (AAI) peri tou pneumatos o emellon (IAI) lambanein (PAN) oi pisteusantes (AAP) eis auton; houpo gar en (IAI) pneuma, hoti Iesoun oudepo edoxasthe (API): THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT But this - What is this? The rivers of living water, Jesus' figurative description of the Holy Spirit. Keddie - John writes from a post-John 20/Acts 2 perspective and wants it clearly understood that the living water is a metaphorical bridge between the water poured out at the Feast of Tabernacles and the work of the Holy Spirit in the post-Pentecostal church. The giving of the Holy Spirit and his gifts was reserved for the time after Christ had actually died, risen and ascended into heaven, so demonstrating that salvation and newness of life are the fruit of Christ’s mediatorial sacrifice for sin. (Ibid) It is fascinating that in John 4 Living Water is a picture of Jesus and here in John 7 Living Water is a picture of the Holy Spirit. We should not be surprised that God uses the same phrase to describe the Son and the Spirit, for other NT passages refer to the Spirit as the Spirit of Christ (Ro 8:9+, 1Pe 1:11+), the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7+) and the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:19+). The Trinity is truly a mystery but it is just as surely a true mystery! If you quench the Spirit (1Th 5:19+), your thirst will not be quenched! The Spirit - Jesus speaks of the Spirit as a Person, not an it. Just as water satisfies thirst and produces fruitfulness, so the Spirit of God satisfies the inner person and enables us to bear fruit. Ray Pritchard on the Spirit - Are you spooked out by the Holy Spirit? Perhaps I should say, “Are you spooked out by the Holy Ghost?” Lots of Christians are, you know. They say things like, “I know about God the Father, and I know about Jesus, but the Holy Spirit is a mystery to me.” You may remember the story about the little boy who liked to scare people by saying, “Boo! I’m the Holy Ghost.” That story is apt because the Holy Spirit (“Ghost” is the older term) scares many Christians. Maybe they’re heard things or seen things on TV. Or perhaps the idea of a “Holy Spirit” seems hard to grasp. We understand the concept of God the Creator, and we certainly know about Jesus who walked among us 2000 years ago. But the Holy Spirit is another matter. Where does he fit in?...One of the oldest prayers of the church contains only three words: “Come, Holy Spirit.” Here is the ultimate irony of this message. Because the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see spiritual truth, we need the Holy Spirit to understand the Holy Spirit! So we pray “Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to know you better. Amen."...The Holy Spirit brings the life of God to the thirsty soul. That’s what the Holy Spirit provides for us. He will fill our lives with living water. If we are thirsty, we are invited to take a drink and see for ourselves. Have you ever felt like spiritually “dry ground"? Have you ever felt “thirsty” for more of the Lord? Have you ever felt empty and needing to be filled? The Holy Spirit is God’s answer for our deep inner thirst. When He comes into our lives, He comes like a river rushing over dry ground. He pours out His blessings and our lives begin to blossom again. No one need stay “dry” or “empty” or “thirsty” forever. We weren’t made to live in a desert. God’s river called the Holy Spirit can flow through our lives, slaking our thirst, filling our emptiness, covering the arid ground with the water of life. (Water, Wine, Wind, Fire - Keep Believing Ministries) Ray Pritchard in another sermon speaks of the Spirit asking "what does the Holy Spirit do? He brings God to us. When Jesus was on the earth, His name was Immanuel—God with us. Now that he has gone back to heaven, the Holy Spirit comes and brings God to us. The moment we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens the springs of life and a river of living water begins to flow from within us. But God never gives his blessings simply to be hoarded. He gives his blessings to us so that we can share them with others. Here is a simple sentence to help you think about this truth: The Holy Spirit brings God to us so we can bring God to others. The river flows from us to others. A genuine believer in Christ is not self-centered. He says to himself, “I have been greatly blessed. I must pass these blessings along to others. I can’t keep them for myself.” What God gives me, I give away. If it’s money, it’s not mine anyway. If it’s my time, it all belongs to God anyway. If it’s something I own, I can give it away because I don’t own anything; God owns it all. If it’s a helping hand, I can do that because God reached down and helped me. Behind this principle is the truth I call the Greater Golden Rule: “Do unto others as God has done unto you.” Has God blessed you? Then bless others. Has God been kind to you? Then be kind to others. Has God shown grace to you? Then show grace to others. Has God forgiven you? Then forgive others. Be a river of living water for some thirsty soul this week. (When God Comes Near- “I Believe in the Holy Spirit”) It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That’s how it is with God’s love, Once you’ve experienced it, You spread his love to everyone You want to pass it on. I’ll shout it from the mountain top—PRAISE GOD! I want the world to know The Lord of love has come to me I want to pass it on. Were to receive - At the time Jesus gave this promise, the New Covenant had not been inaugurated, but it would be by His death, burial and resurrection. Then the OT New Covenant promise of Ezekiel would be fulfilled - "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." (Ezek 36:26-27+) This promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the saints "were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." (Acts 2:4+) In keeping with the picture of the Holy Spirit as like rivers of living water, Paul describes the Spirit as the One Whom the Father "poured out (ekcheo - see Ro 5:5+ below) upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." (Titus 3:6+) In Romans Paul writes that hope (Not a "hope so" but a "hope sure!" See elpis) does not disappoint, because (term of explanation) the love of God has been poured out (ekcheo = lavish outpouring to the point of overflowing! Perfect tense = "has poured out in the past and is still flooding our hearts!" Does this describe me? It should if the Spirit is filling and controlling me! Eph 5:18+, Eph 5:25+, Gal 5:22+) within our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. (Ro 5:5+) Comment: An earthly illustration of our hope which does not disappoint: about the boy and his father who were planning a fishing trip for the next day. That evening as the father was putting his son to bed, the boy hugged his father's neck and said, "Daddy, thank you for tomorrow." In the OT we see the Spirit repeatedly portrayed as being poured out like water... For (term of explanation - See context = Isa 44:1-2 - God explains how He will help Israel and why they need not fear) I (Jehovah) will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground (this will be literally fulfilled in the Millennium); I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring (cp His promise of the New Covenant to Judah and Israel to be completely fulfilled at the inception of the Millennium - Jer 31:31-34+, Ezekiel 36:26-27+), and My blessing on your descendants (Isa 44:3+) Henry