The Pulpit Commentary on John 7:30-36

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The effect of our Lord's teaching on the rulers and on the multitude.

His claim to be sent from God roused the anger of the rulers.

I. THE ACTION OF THE RULERS. "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands upon him, because his hour was not yet come."

1. Their efforts are for the present limited to plots against his life. The faithful witness to the truth is always exposed to the risk of persecution by a world with no love for the truth.

2. Their efforts are restrained by a Divine hand which can "restrain the wrath of men." "His time was not yet come."

II. THE RESPONSE OF THE MULTITUDE TO OUR LORD'S TEACHING. "And many of the multitude believed on him, and said, When the Christ cometh, will be do more miracles than these which this Man did?"

1. The Jews here referred to were those from abroad, as distinguished from the Jews of the city, who were intensely opposed to Christ.

2. They showed a progressive faith. Lately they conceded that he was "a good Man" (John 7:12). Now they admit his Messiahship.

3. Their faith, genuine as it is, has been largely due to his miraculous power. The tradition was that the Messiah would possess such a power, and these Jews believe that Christ had exhibited it on a scale commensurate with the Messianic expectations of the nation.

III. SUDDEN EFFECT OF THIS CHANGE OF OPINION UPON THE POLICY OF THE AUTHORITIES. "The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take him."

1. They resolved to strike a blow at once, so as to save their religious hold upon the people. They had no scruple about destroying Christ, for they believed him guilty of blasphemy.

2. The divisions of religious life among the Jews themselves were in abeyance under the influence of the common danger. The Pharisees acted in harmony with the chief priests, who were Sadducees.

IV. THEIR ACTION SUGGESTS TO OUR LORD THE IDEA OF HIS COMING DEATH. "Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while I am with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come."

1. He invites the Jews to profit by the time, now narrowed to six months, that he would be with them.

2. The fatal effect of disregarding his timely warning.

3. Their strange misapprehension of his words.

(a) This was an involuntary prophecy like that of Caiaphas.

(b) The Jews of the Dispersion, scattered in Babylonia, Egypt, and Syria, were the most interesting section of the Jews, the links to connect the old with the new revelation, and in their synagogues the apostles were privileged to make Jesus known as the Messiah.

(c) It is a significant fact that this unconscious prophecy should be recorded in the Greek language by a native of Palestine, dwelling at the time in a Gentile city.

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