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1 After these things, Iesus walked in Galilee: for hee would not walk in Iurie, because the Iewes sought to kill him.
2 Now the Iewes feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore saide vnto him, Depart hence, and go into Iudea, that thy Disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4 For there is no man that doth any thing in secret, and hee himselfe seeketh to be knowen openly: If thou doe these things, shew thy selfe to þe world.
5 For neither did his brethren beleeue in him.
6 Then Iesus said vnto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7 The world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testifie of it, that the workes thereof are euill.
8 Goe ye vp vnto this feast: I goe not vp yet vnto this feast, for my time is not yet full come.
9 When he had said these words vnto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10 ¶ But when his brethren were gone vp, then went he also vp vnto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Iewes sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring among the people, concerning him: For some said, Hee is a good man: Others said, Nay, but he deceiueth the people.
13 Howbeit, no man spake openly of him, for feare of the Iewes.
14 ¶ Now about the middest of the feast, Iesus went vp into the Temple, and taught.
15 And the Iewes marueiled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, hauing neuer learned?
16 Iesus answered them, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will doe his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speake of my selfe.
18 He that speaketh of himselfe, seeketh his owne glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no vnrighteousnesse is in him.
19 Did not Moses giue you the Law, and yet none of you keepeth the Law? Why goe ye about to kill me?
20 The people answered, and sayd, Thou hast a deuill: Who goeth about to kill thee?
21 Iesus answered, and saide vnto them, I haue done one worke, and yee all marueile.
22 Moses therefore gaue vnto you Circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and yee on the Sabbath day circumcise a man.
23 If a man on the Sabbath day receiue circumcision, that the Lawe of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I haue made a man euery whit whole on the Sabbath day?
24 Iudge not according to the appearance, but iudge righteous iudgement.
25 Then said some of them of Hierusalem, Is not this hee, whome they seeke to kill?
26 But loe, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing vnto him: Doe the rulers know indeede that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit wee know this man whence he is: but when Christ commeth, no man knoweth whence he is.
28 Then cried Iesus in the Temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am, and I am not come of my selfe, but he that sent me, is true, whom ye know not.
29 But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his houre was not yet come.
31 And many of the people beleeued on him, & said, When Christ commeth, will hee doe moe miracles then these which this man hath done?
32 ¶ The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him: And the Pharisees and the chiefe Priests sent officers to take him.
33 Then said Iesus vnto them, Yet a litle while am I with you, and then I goe vnto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seeke me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither yee cannot come.
35 Then saide the Iewes among themselues, Whither will hee goe, that we shall not find him? will he goe vnto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36 What maner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seeke me, and shall not find me? and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Iesus stood, and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come vnto me, and drinke.
38 He that beleeueth on me, as the Scripture hath saide, out of his belly shall flow riuers of liuing water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit which they that beleeue on him, should receiue. For the holy Ghost was not yet giuen, because that Iesus was not yet glorified.)
40 ¶ Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, saide, Of a trueth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the Scripture saide, that Christ commeth of the seede of Dauid, and out of the towne of Bethlehem, where Dauid was?
43 So there was diuision among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would haue taken him, but no man layed hands on him.
45 ¶ Then came the officers to the chiefe Priests and Pharises, and they said vnto them, Why haue ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Neuer man spake like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceiued?
48 Haue any of the rulers, or of the Pharises beleeued on him?
49 But this people who knoweth not the Law, are cursed.
50 Nicodemus saith vnto them, (He that came to Iesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our Law iudge any man before it heare him, & know what he doth?
52 They answered, and said vnto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and looke: for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet.
53 And euery man went vnto his owne house.
Christ goes to the feast of tabernacles. (1-13) His discourse at the feast. (14-39) The people dispute concerning Christ. (40-53)1-13 The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them.
14-24 Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.
25-30 Christ proclaimed aloud, that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent of God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew not God, with his claim to peculiar knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him, but God can tie men's hands, though he does not turn their hearts.
31-36 The discourses of Jesus convinced many that he was the Messiah; but they had not courage to own it. It is comfort to those who are in the world, but not of it, and therefore are hated by it and weary of it, that they shall not be in it always, that they shall not be in it long. Our days being evil, it is well they are few. The days of life and of grace do not last long; and sinners, when in misery, will be glad of the help they now despise. Men dispute about such sayings, but the event will explain them.
37-39 On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, the Jews drew water and poured it out before the Lord. It is supposed that Christ alluded to this. If any man desires to be truly and for ever happy, let him apply to Christ, and be ruled by him. This thirst means strong desires after spiritual blessings, which nothing else can satisfy; so the sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit, were intended by the waters which Jesus called on them to come to Him and drink. The comfort flows plentifully and constantly as a river; strong as a stream to bear down the opposition of doubts and fears. There is a fulness in Christ, of grace for grace. The Spirit dwelling and working in believers, is as a fountain of living, running water, out of which plentiful streams flow, cooling and cleansing as water. The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit we do not expect, but for his more common and more valuable influences we may apply. These streams have flowed from our glorified Redeemer, down to this age, and to the remote corners of the earth. May we be anxious to make them known to others.
40-53 The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily lose their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swayed by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses things which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.