John 7:1-53 – Why Go Ye About To Kill Me?

Read John 7:1-53

1) At the beginning of chapter 6 the feast of the Passover was nearing. Now it is time for the feast of tabernacles. Look up Leviticus 23:33-44. What was the significance of this feast? How long was it to last? What are some of the main observances that were to take place during this time? (See Numbers 29 for a list of the specific sacrifices that were to be made each day.)

2) What is the attitude of Jesus’ brothers toward him at this time? (verses 3-5)

3) We have already looked at Psalm 69:9 in connection with John 2:17. Read Psalm 69:7-9. What impresses you as you think about the words of Jesus’ brothers in this passage?

4) According to John 6:7 and John 15:18-25, Why can the world not hate Jesus’ brothers, yet it does hate him?

5) According to both John 15:18-25 and Matthew 10:34-39 what may it mean to be a follower of Jesus? What do we receive instead (see Matthew 10:39 and Luke 8:19-21)?

6) Jesus traveled to Jerusalem secretly. What would have been the consequences of traveling openly in the manner his brothers had suggested? (see verses 6 and 8 )

7) Describe the mood of the people in verses 11 to 13.

8 ) At what time during the feast did Jesus begin teaching in the temple?

9) Look up Acts 4:13-14. In both the present passage in John and in Acts, what was the reason people were so amazed?

10) Jesus appears to be saying in verse 17 that one must do the will of God in order to know whether the doctrines of Scripture are of God or not, yet many people believe that they must know whether something is truly from God before they will act on it. Have you seen this principle in operation? What do you conclude about Jesus’ words here?

11) How can we know whether a religious leader is seeking his own glory? What are the distinguishing differences between the two kinds of leaders? (verse 18)

12) Why are some people seemingly unaware of the plot to kill Jesus (verse 20) and others totally aware of it (verse 25)?

13) Jesus had done more than one miracle by this point in his ministry. What work is he referring to in verse 21?

14) What was the specific legal conflict that Jesus refers to in verse 22? Were they wrong to resolve it the way they did? (See Genesis 17:10-12, Exodus 20:8-11, Leviticus 12:2-3) Why or why not?

15) The Jews justified the breaking of one law in order to keep another in this case. According to Matthew 12:9-14, did Jesus break any laws by healing on the Sabbath? Why did they still condemn him? (see Matthew 12:7)

16) In verses 28-29, Jesus again gives a very clear indication of his claim to be equal with God – to be God. From the following verses, list three reasons each that people had for either accepting or rejecting his claims:

a) Reasons to accept his claims – 1) John 7:24-26, 30, 32, 44, 2) John 7:31, 3) John 7:15, 26, 40, 46.

b) Reasons to reject his claims – 1) John 7:27, 2) John 7:41, 42, 52, 3) John 7:21, 49.

17) Compare verses 27 (Malachi 3:1) and 41-42 (Micah 5:2). What were the two theories regarding the Messiah’s origin? How hard would it have been to verify Jesus’ place of birth? Why didn’t they?

18) Contrast those in the previous question who would not verify Jesus place of birth with those in verse 31. What do you observe?

19) In verses 33-34, Jesus speaks of his coming death and resurrection so that his meaning is not immediately apparent. What is the reaction of the crowd?

20) Referring to verses 37-39, what is the meaning of this picture for those Jesus was speaking to and for us?

21) Describe the division among the people in verses 40-44.

22) Put yourself in the place of one of the temple officers going to arrest Jesus. How did you end up returning empty handed?

23) In verse 47-52, Nicodemus appears to have an opportunity to testify to his belief in Jesus. It would have been as simple as saying, “I do,” in response to the question in verse 47. Describe Nicodemus’ actual response.

24) Why did he receive the response that he did?

25) Were they correct that no prophet had ever come from Galilee? What is the nature of their ignorance on this matter?

26) At this point in John’s Gospel, who has now rejected Jesus?

27) All the crucial elements are now in place for Jesus’ final visit to Jerusalem. Look up John 10:18. What is the crucial difference between the reason his brothers were urging him to go to Jerusalem for the feast and his actual reason for going?