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John 7:7
ESV The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.
NIV The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
NASB The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil.
CSB The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me because I testify about it—that its works are evil.
NLT The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
KJV The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
NKJV The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

What does John 7:7 mean?

Jesus' brothers are teasing Him about His public ministry and the sudden departure of many of His disciples (John 6:66). In their minds, Jesus ought to go to the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem and perform more magic tricks, to regrow His following. This shallow, teasing attitude is grounded in their lack of belief in Christ and His ministry (John 7:5). Not until after His resurrection will some of His siblings—at least two, James and Jude—become believers.

Jesus responded in the prior verse by referring to the timetable of God. In the future, Jesus will openly declare Himself the Messiah (John 12:12–15). He will recognize that His ultimate purpose is about to be fulfilled (John 17:1). For now, however, He will act to follow God's will, instead of chasing publicity.

Jesus' brothers have no such restrictions, for two reasons. First, they are already living in "their time." They can move about the world without much consequence. Secondly, they do not face the spiritual resistance which Jesus encounters. Christ's ministry confronts sin and hypocrisy. As shown over and over in Scripture, a common response to conviction is not repentance, but hatred and violence. Both in Jesus' earthly ministry and in the work of Christianity, the world often responds in the same way to the gospel: with persecution, instead of submission.
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