What is the meaning of John 7:27? But we know where this man is from • The crowd in Jerusalem assumes they have Jesus all figured out: “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know His father and mother” (John 6:42). • Hometown familiarity breeds contempt (Mark 6:3). They think His Galilean background disqualifies Him from messianic consideration. • Yet even their own Scriptures teach that Messiah would minister first in “Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1–2). Their confidence is misplaced; they see His earthly address but ignore His heavenly origin (John 1:14; 3:13). When the Christ comes • Many in the crowd hold prophetic hopes: “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David and from Bethlehem?” (John 7:42). • Promises such as 2 Samuel 7:12–13 and Micah 5:2 fueled expectation that Messiah would descend from David and emerge in God’s timing. • Jesus checks every box: born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1), son of David (Matthew 1:1), and appearing precisely “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4). Their ignorance of His birth story keeps them from recognizing the fulfillment standing before them. no one will know where He is from • A popular Jewish teaching held that Messiah would appear suddenly, his origins hidden until his public unveiling (cf. Malachi 3:1; Daniel 7:13). • Ironically, Scripture does reveal Messiah’s birthplace (Micah 5:2) and lineage (Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 11:1). The crowd trusts folklore over written revelation. • Jesus exposes the error moments later: “You know Me and you know where I am from. Yet I have not come on My own. But He who sent Me is true” (John 7:28). Their real problem is spiritual blindness—they miss the Father who sent the Son (John 5:37–38; 8:19). summary The people think they can dismiss Jesus because they “know” His origin, expecting a Messiah of mysterious background. Scripture itself, however, identifies both the earthly birthplace and the divine sending of the Christ—criteria Jesus fulfills perfectly. Their mistaken assumptions reveal hearts unwilling to believe what God has plainly said, while the Savior stands in their midst offering life to all who will see Him as He truly is. |
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