Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” New Living Translation What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?” English Standard Version What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?” Berean Standard Bible What does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” Berean Literal Bible What is this word that He said, 'You will seek Me, and will not find Me,' and 'Where I am you are not able to come'?" King James Bible What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? New King James Version What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?” New American Standard Bible What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” NASB 1995 “What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come ‘?” NASB 1977 “What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” Legacy Standard Bible What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” Amplified Bible What does this statement of His mean, ‘You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” Christian Standard Bible What is this remark he made: ‘You will look for me, and you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come’? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible What is this remark He made: ‘You will look for Me, and you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come?” American Standard Version What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come? Contemporary English Version What did he mean by saying that we will look for him, but won't find him? Why can't we go where he is going?" English Revised Version What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come? GOD'S WORD® Translation What does he mean when he says, 'You will look for me, but you won't find me,' and 'You can't go where I'm going'?" Good News Translation He says that we will look for him but will not find him, and that we cannot go where he will be. What does he mean?" International Standard Version What does this statement mean that he said, 'You'll look for me but won't find me,' and, 'Where I am, you cannot come'?" NET Bible What did he mean by saying, 'You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come'?" New Heart English Bible What is this word that he said, 'You will seek me, but won't find; and where I am, you cannot come'?" Webster's Bible Translation What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye will seek me, and will not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? Weymouth New Testament What do those words of his mean, 'You will look for me, but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come'?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhat does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” World English Bible What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhat is this word that He said, You will seek Me, and you will not find? And, Where I am, you are not able to come?” Berean Literal Bible What is this word that He said, 'You will seek Me, and will not find Me,' and 'Where I am you are not able to come'?" Young's Literal Translation what is this word that he said, Ye will seek me, and ye shall not find? and, Where I am, ye are not able to come?' Smith's Literal Translation What is the word which he spake, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find: and where I am, ye cannot come? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhat is this saying that he hath said: You shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, you cannot come? Catholic Public Domain Version What is this word that he spoke, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me; and where I am, you are not able to go?’ ” New American Bible What is the meaning of his saying, ‘You will look for me and not find [me], and where I am you cannot come’?” New Revised Standard Version What does he mean by saying, ‘You will search for me and you will not find me’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat does this word mean which he said, You will seek me and you will not find me; and where I am you cannot come? Aramaic Bible in Plain English “What is this statement that he spoke?: 'You will seek me and will not find me, and wherever I am, you are not able to come?' “ NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhat means this saying which he uttered, You will seek me, and will not find me; and, Where I am you can not come? Godbey New Testament What is this word which He said, Haweis New Testament What is this saying which he hath spoken, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come? Mace New Testament what does he mean by saying, "ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I go, thither ye cannot come?" Weymouth New Testament What do those words of his mean, 'You will look for me, but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come'?" Worrell New Testament What is this word that He said, Worsley New Testament What is the meaning of this speech, that He said, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Is Jesus the Christ?…35At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36What does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” 37On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.… Cross References John 8:21 Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ John 14:5 “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” John 16:17-18 Then some of His disciples asked one another, “Why is He telling us, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” / They kept asking, “Why is He saying, ‘a little while’? We do not understand what He is saying.” John 3:33-34 Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. / For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. John 6:62 Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? John 8:14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. John 14:19 In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. John 16:10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Amos 8:12 People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Hosea 5:6 They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. Treasury of Scripture What manner of saying is this that he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come? manner. John 3:4,9 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? … John 6:41,52,60 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven… John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Ye shall. John 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Jump to Previous Able Find Manner Mean Seek Statement Thither Where Will Won't Word WordsJump to Next Able Find Manner Mean Seek Statement Thither Where Will Won't Word WordsJohn 7 1. Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;10. goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles; 14. teaches in the temple. 40. Various opinions of him among the people. 45. The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, 50. and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side. What does He mean by saying, This phrase reflects the confusion and curiosity of the Jewish leaders and the crowd regarding Jesus' teachings. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus often speaks in ways that are not immediately clear to His listeners, using parables and metaphors. This method of teaching fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-10, where God tells Isaiah that people will hear but not understand. Jesus' words often require spiritual discernment, which many of His listeners lack. ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders and the crowd during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. His words are often misunderstood by His audience, leading to confusion and debate. 2. Jewish Leaders These are the religious authorities who are questioning Jesus' teachings and authority. They are often depicted as skeptical and resistant to Jesus' message. 3. Jerusalem The city where this event takes place, specifically during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival that commemorates God's provision during the Israelites' wilderness journey. 4. The Crowd The general populace present at the feast, who are also trying to understand Jesus' message and its implications. 5. Feast of Tabernacles A major Jewish festival that serves as the backdrop for this discourse. It is a time of celebration and remembrance of God's faithfulness. Teaching Points Understanding Jesus' WordsJesus often spoke in ways that required spiritual discernment. His statement in John 7:36 challenges us to seek deeper understanding through prayer and study. The Importance of Timing Jesus' words highlight the urgency of seeking Him while He is near. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with Him and not delay in responding to His call. Spiritual Separation The inability to find Jesus points to the spiritual separation that sin causes. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and reconciliation with God. Eternal Perspective Jesus' statement encourages us to focus on eternal matters rather than temporary concerns. It calls us to live with an awareness of our eternal destiny. Seeking God The passage underscores the importance of earnestly seeking God, as echoed throughout Scripture. It challenges us to pursue a deeper relationship with Him daily. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 7:36?2. What does John 7:36 reveal about Jesus' understanding of His mission? 3. How can we discern God's timing in our lives, as seen in John 7:36? 4. How does John 7:36 connect with Jesus' teachings on His divine origin? 5. How should believers respond when others misunderstand Jesus' words, as in John 7:36? 6. What steps can we take to seek Jesus earnestly, reflecting on John 7:36? 7. What does John 7:36 mean by "Where I am, you cannot come"? 8. How does John 7:36 challenge the understanding of Jesus' mission? 9. Why were the Jews confused by Jesus' statement in John 7:36? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 7? 11. What is biblical typology? 12. Why is John 7:53-8:11 missing in some Bibles? 13. Is there only one shepherd? 14. When Jesus says in John 16:16 that his followers 'will see' him after 'a little while,' why has the second coming not happened given nearly two thousand years have passed? What Does John 7:36 Mean You will look for Me• The crowd thought they could track Jesus down in the future, but He spoke of a coming separation that no earthly search could bridge (John 13:33). • Their desire was tied to earthly expectations of a political Messiah; yet Jesus had just declared, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). The opportunity to meet Him was right before them, but they would postpone until it was too late, much like the famine of hearing God’s word foretold in Amos 8:11–12. • Luke 19:41–44 records Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because they “did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Looking without surrender always ends in regret. but you will not find Me • Within months Jesus would die, rise, and ascend (Acts 1:9). From then on, no amount of temple ritual or intellectual searching could replace a living, personal faith in the risen Lord (John 8:21). • Unbelief blinds the seeker: “Though seeing, they do not see” (Matthew 13:13). The leaders could analyze Scripture daily yet miss the One it revealed (John 5:39–40). • Spiritual opportunity is not open-ended. Hebrews 3:15 warns, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Delay meant they would seek Him after the door had closed. Where I am • Jesus looked beyond the cross to His return to the Father’s presence: “What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?” (John 6:62). • Heaven is the true Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:24). There, Christ intercedes, reigning in the glory He shared “before the world existed” (John 17:5). • This phrase also hints at the intimacy enjoyed by believers now—being “seated with Him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6)—yet still points to the ultimate, unveiled fellowship of Revelation 21:3. you cannot come • The barrier was not distance but sin. “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Refusing Him meant forfeiting any path to where He was going. • Jesus would soon repeat the warning to His disciples, but with a promise of future access for those who trusted Him (John 13:36; 14:2–3). Unbelievers, however, “will die in their sin” (John 8:24). • Only repentance and faith open the way (Acts 3:19). Without them, even religious devotion leaves a person outside the gate (Revelation 22:14–15). summary John 7:36 captures a sobering moment: the Messiah stands among His people offering living water, yet they hesitate. Soon He will return to His Father, and those who delay will search in vain, shut out by their own unbelief. The verse calls every listener to respond now—while the Savior is near—so that, instead of hearing “you cannot come,” we will one day hear, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father” (Matthew 25:34). (36) What manner of saying is this . . .?--We get a better sense by omitting the words in italics, and reading, "What saying is this . . .?" Their scorn does not solve their difficulty, and gives place to wonder. They feel His words cannot mean what they have said. "What, then, do they mean? What is the force of His saying?"Verse 36. - What is this word (λόγος) which he spake, Ye shall seek me, and ye shall not find (me), and where I am, ye cannot come? This verse is simply a repetition of the Lord's sentence, which, notwithstanding their damaging interpretation and unconscious prophecy of great events, haunted them with a weird power, and left them, as his word left the officers who were silenced and paralyzed by it, with a sense of undiscovered and awful meaning. Both here and in ver. 45 we see that the evangelist had access to the ideas and converse of the "Jews," which proves that he had special sources of information to which the ordinary synoptic tradition was strange. The thought grows upon one that John was more than the mere fisherman of the lake. He was a friend of Nicodemus, and known to Caiaphas. It is clear that some further time elapses. This conversation, of which we have the prominent items, the chief utterances, was producing its effect upon the two-sided multitude, upon "the Jews," the "Pharisees," the city party, the chief priests. The Lord probably retired once more to the house of Lazarus or of John.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Whatτίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. does He mean λόγος (logos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. by ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. saying, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘You will look for Ζητήσετέ (Zētēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. Me, με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. you will not find εὑρήσετέ (heurēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. Me,’ με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and, καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. ‘Where Ὅπου (Hopou) Adverb Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am, εἰμὶ (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. cannot δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. come’?” ἐλθεῖν (elthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 2064: To come, go. Links John 7:36 NIVJohn 7:36 NLT John 7:36 ESV John 7:36 NASB John 7:36 KJV John 7:36 BibleApps.com John 7:36 Biblia Paralela John 7:36 Chinese Bible John 7:36 French Bible John 7:36 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: John 7:36 What is this word that he said (Jhn Jo Jn) |
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