John 7:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”

NIV: but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.'

NASB: I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.'

CSB: I know him because I am from him, and he sent me."

NLT: But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.'

KJV: But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

NKJV: But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

Jesus has previously pointed out that those who reject Him have all the information they need. This includes the writings of Moses and the other prophets. It includes Israel's status as God's chosen people (John 5:45–47). It even includes the miracles Jesus has performed (John 5:36), and the testimony of others (John 5:33). Those who won't come to Christ do so because they have no intention of doing so (John 5:39–40). Their disobedience leads to a lack of understanding (John 7:17). As a result, even though Jesus is delivering the message of God, and comes from God, and is God (John 1:1), He is not accepted, even by members of His own family (John 7:1–9).

The reactions to Jesus' preaching in this passage are mixed. The religious leaders have already made up their minds to kill Jesus (John 5:18), and will soon make another attempt to have Him arrested. Some think Jesus is crazy (John 7:20), others wonder about His ministry (John 7:12–13). Some, despite all the controversy, are willing to follow the evidence exactly where it leads: to belief (John 7:31).

John 7:25–36 is a milestone in the plot to kill Jesus. Jesus continues to criticize the local religious leaders, who are unable to successfully arrest Him. This leads the people to wonder: are the Scribes and Pharisees in agreement with Jesus or too weak to stop Him? That crisis of confidence will make the Jewish leaders more convinced that they need to silence Jesus at all costs. Even so, misinterpreting His comments in the passage presents a possible solution: if Jesus is going somewhere they cannot follow, perhaps the problem will resolve itself.

Six months after the feeding of thousands, and the public debate which followed, Jesus plans to attend the Feast of Booths (Festival of Tabernacles). Rather than going publicly, He chooses to arrive privately, and after His family. While teaching and preaching there, Jesus once again comes into conflict with local religious leaders. The crowds take note of His profound words, history of miracles, and the inability of the religious leaders to silence Him. This causes the people to openly question their spiritual leaders. This embarrassment is a milestone in the effort to permanently silence Jesus.

John chapter 7 is the beginning of the end of Jesus' public ministry. The feeding of thousands in chapter 6 was the pinnacle of His earthly popularity. That enthusiasm was dampened when Jesus explained the true meaning of His ministry. Here, in chapters 7 and 8, Jesus will confront His critics at a major Jewish festival, using metaphors drawn from ritual celebrations to highlight themes from His preaching. The following chapters include additional miracles and teachings from Jesus, as His eventual crucifixion draws nearer.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.

Accessed 5/5/2024 5:20:52 PM