Why were the Jews "looking for Him" during the Feast in John 7:11? Setting the Scene • “After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, wanting to avoid Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him.” (John 7:1) • Six months have passed since the healing at Bethesda (John 5). • The city is swelling with pilgrims for the Feast of Tabernacles—one of the three annual feasts every Jewish male is commanded to attend (Deuteronomy 16:16). Who Are “the Jews”? In John’s Gospel this phrase usually points to the Jerusalem religious establishment—chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees—rather than the nation as a whole (cf. John 5:16-18). Why the Feast of Tabernacles Matters • A week-long celebration of God’s wilderness provision (Leviticus 23:34-43). • Messianic overtones: Zechariah 14:16-19 links the Feast with worldwide worship of the coming King. • Jesus has already hinted that He fulfills the feast’s symbols (John 1:14—“dwelt,” lit. “tabernacled,” among us). The leaders sense the growing messianic buzz. Three Overlapping Motives Behind the Search 1. Opposition—They Wanted to Stop Him – John 5:18: “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him.” – His Sabbath healing and claim to divine Sonship enraged them. The feast offered a prime opportunity to arrest Him discreetly (John 7:32). 2. Obligation—They Expected Him to Appear – Attendance was mandatory (Deuteronomy 16:16). Skipping the feast would brand Him lawless—a charge they could exploit. – If He did come, they could confront Him publicly and expose Him. 3. Observation—They Needed to Gauge His Influence – Since the feeding of the five thousand, crowds whispered “This is truly the Prophet” (John 6:14). – Leaders feared a popular uprising (John 11:48). Spotting Him early would help them manage public opinion. What Their Search Reveals • Zeal without light: They scoured the temple courts yet missed the very One the feast foreshadowed (Isaiah 29:13). • Hardened hearts: “They loved the glory that comes from men more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:43). • Sovereign timing: Though they looked for Him, “His hour had not yet come” (John 7:30). God’s plan, not human schemes, governs events. Lessons for Today • Religious activity can blind us to Christ when pride rules the heart. • Christ attends the feast on His Father’s timetable, not ours—inviting trust in His sovereign control over hostile circumstances. • The question “Where is He?” still echoes. Seek Him with humble faith, not hostile scrutiny (Jeremiah 29:13; Hebrews 11:6). |
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