John 7 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

7:3 brothers. See note on Lk 8:19.

7:4 It is not clear whether the brothers claimed some knowledge of Jesus’ miracles that other people did not have or were suggesting that any claim to Messiahship must be decided in Jerusalem. Their advice was not given sincerely, for they did not yet believe in Jesus (v. 5).

7:22 circumcision. The requirement of circumcision was included in the law Moses gave (see Ex 12:44, 48; Lev 12:3), yet it did not originate with Moses but went back to Abraham (see Ge 17:10–12 and notes). The Jews took such regulations as that in Lev 12:3 to mean that circumcision must be performed on the eighth day even if it was the Sabbath. This exception is of critical importance in understanding the controversy (v. 23). Jesus was not saying that the Sabbath should not be observed or that the Jewish regulations were too harsh. He was saying that his opponents did not understand what the Sabbath meant. The command to circumcise showed not only that work might sometimes be done on the Sabbath but that it must be done then. Deeds of mercy are in this category.

7:26 the Messiah. See note on 1:25.

7:27 no one will know where he is from. Some Jews held that the OT gave the origin of the Messiah (cf. v. 42; Mt 2:4–6), but others believed that it did not.

7:39 the Spirit. Explaining the “living water” (v. 38). had not been given. In the manner in which he would be given at Pentecost (see Ac 2:1–4 and note on 2:4). glorified. Here probably refers to Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and exaltation (see note on 13:31). The fullness of the Spirit’s work depends on Jesus’ prior work of salvation.

7:42 the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem. See 1Sa 20:6; 2Sa 7:12–16 and notes; Ps 89:3–4; Mic 5:2.

7:53–8:11 This story probably did not belong originally to the Gospel of John. It is absent from almost all the early manuscripts, and those that include it sometimes place it elsewhere (e.g., after Lk 21:38). But the story may well be an authentic tradition about Jesus.