How does John 7:36 connect with Jesus' teachings on His divine origin? Setting the Scene John 7 records Jesus teaching in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. His words provoke confusion among the crowd and the religious leaders. In John 7:34 He states, “You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” Verse 36 captures their baffled response: “ ‘What is this statement He is saying, “You will look for Me, and you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come”?’ ” (John 7:36) Observations from John 7:36 • The leaders quote Jesus word-for-word, showing they grasp His claim but not its meaning. • Their emphasis on “where I am” highlights a location they cannot reach. • The inability to “find” or “come” points to a realm beyond earthly limits. Linking the Verse to Jesus’ Origin from Heaven • Jesus speaks as One who already “is” in a place they do not know—Heaven, His eternal home with the Father. • By saying “where I am,” He identifies His present identity as the One who came down from above and who will soon return there (see John 7:33, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me”). • Their confusion underscores the difference between earthly origin and heavenly origin. They judge “by outward appearances” (John 7:24), but Jesus’ birthplace is ultimately Heaven. Supporting Passages • John 3:13 — “No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.” • John 6:38 — “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” • John 8:23 — “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” • John 13:33 — Jesus repeats the same wording to His disciples, further tying the phrase to His departure to the Father. • Acts 1:9-11 — His ascension visibly confirms that He returns to the realm He spoke of. Key Takeaways for Us • John 7:36 preserves the leaders’ bewilderment, which actually spotlights Jesus’ heavenly identity; only someone of divine origin could speak this way. • The verse connects to a consistent Johannine theme: Jesus descends from Heaven, reveals the Father, and then ascends where unbelief cannot follow. • Our ability to “come” where He is depends entirely on faith in His divine person and saving work (John 14:6). |
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