What is the meaning of John 7:35? At this • The moment follows Jesus’ declaration, “You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come” (John 7:34). • That statement puzzled His listeners because it hinted at both His coming death, resurrection, and eventual ascension—events hidden from their earthly reasoning (John 8:21; John 13:33). • Scripture often records pivotal turning points introduced by small phrases like “at this,” marking God’s sovereign timing (cf. Luke 4:28-30). Here, it signals the people’s transition from mere curiosity to anxious speculation. the Jews said to one another • Instead of seeking the Lord for clarity, they consult one another—a pattern of human reasoning that frequently misses divine truth (John 7:12; John 9:16). • Earlier, similar whispering among the crowd produced division about Jesus’ identity (John 7:32, 43). • Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord rather than lean on our own understanding; their dialogue illustrates the danger of the latter. Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? • They assume Jesus plans a change of location, unaware He is speaking of a heavenly destination inaccessible without faith (John 14:1-6). • Spiritual blindness keeps them from recognizing the Messiah in front of them (Isaiah 6:9-10; John 6:36). • Their question underscores the futility of human effort to reach God apart from His revealed path (Romans 10:3). Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks • The “dispersion” (diaspora) refers to Jews living outside Judea, scattered since the exiles (Jeremiah 31:10; Acts 2:5-11). • Ironically, after His resurrection the gospel would indeed go to these scattered Jewish communities through the apostles (Acts 13:14-16; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1). • Their speculation unwittingly aligns with God’s plan to gather His people from afar (Isaiah 11:12). and teach the Greeks? • They wonder if Jesus might extend His ministry to Gentiles—an idea many first-century Jews found shocking (Acts 21:28). • Yet prophecy had long promised light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). • Jesus later affirms, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold” (John 10:16) and indicates that Gentiles seeking Him signal the hour for His glorification (John 12:20-23). • The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and Paul’s testimony, “I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21), show the fulfillment of the very possibility they voice. summary John 7:35 captures a crowd grappling with Jesus’ mysterious words. Their earthly reasoning leads to confused questions about geography, while Jesus speaks of heavenly realities and a worldwide mission. Unwittingly, they predict the gospel’s expansion to the scattered Jews and even to the Greeks. The verse thus highlights human misunderstanding, God’s sovereign plan to reach all peoples, and the necessity of faith to follow the Savior where human effort cannot go. |
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