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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_7:14-18
14But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. 15The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" 16So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. 18He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
Joh_7:14 "But when it was now the midst of the feast" The exact reason for Jesus waiting until this moment is uncertain, but one could speculate that this allowed time for the pilgrims and towns people to discuss Him and His ministry. It also allowed time for the Jewish leaders to openly reveal their hostilities (cf. Joh_7:13).
▣ "teach" Jesus' speaking events are characterized by
1. teaching, Mat_4:23; Mat_5:2; Mat_5:19; Mat_7:29, etc.; Joh_6:59; Joh_7:14; Joh_7:28; Joh_7:35; Joh_8:20; Joh_8:28
2. preaching, Luk_4:18; Luk_7:22; Luk_9:6; Luk_20:1
These seem to be used synonymously to refer to Jesus imparting the truths of God to His human creation. The revelation was always meant to inform and reform. It demanded a decision accompanied by a change of lifestyle priorities. Truth changes everything!
Joh_7:15 "How has this man become learned, having never been educated" This simply means that He had not attended one of the official rabbinical schools, nor had He been a disciple of one of the noted rabbis. The use of the phrase "this man" has a connotation of disrespect (cf. Joh_18:17; Joh_18:29).
Jesus' teaching often surprised His hearers (cf. Mar_1:21-22; Luk_4:22) because of (1) the content and (2) the form. Other rabbis quoted one another; Jesus claimed to quote God!
Joh_7:16 Jesus again drew attention not only to His submission (see note at Joh_5:19) to the Father, but also to His unique knowledge of the Father. They had earthly teachers; He had the heavenly Teacher.
Joh_7:17 "If" This is a third class conditional sentence which means potential or possible action. This is the paradox of the universal offer of the gospel (cf. Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16) and the sovereignty of God (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65). The Spirit must open the heart (cf. Joh_16:8-13).
Joh_7:18 Jesus asserts His own uniqueness in contrast with fallen mankind: (1) He does not seek His own glory; (2) He seeks the Father's glory; (3) He is true; and (4) He is sinless.
▣ "the glory of the One" See note at Joh_1:14.
▣ "there is no unrighteousness in Him" Jesus could die in our place because He did not need to die for His own sin (2Co_5:21). Jesus' sinlessness is a crucial theological issue. The issue is expressed often and in different ways.
1. Luk_23:41
2. Joh_6:69; Joh_7:18; Joh_8:46; Joh_14:30
3. 2Co_5:21
4. Heb_4:15; Heb_7:26; Heb_9:14
5. 1Pe_1:19; 1Pe_2:22 (Isa_53:9)
6. 1Jn_2:29; 1Jn_3:5; 1Jn_3:7