John 7:1-13
Jesus and His Brothers
Read the passage
1After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.
2However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.
3So Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples there may see the works You are doing.
4For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.
6Therefore Jesus told them, “Although your time is always at hand, My time has not yet come.
7The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.
8Go up to the feast on your own. I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet come.”
9Having said this, Jesus remained in Galilee.
10But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, He also went—not publicly, but in secret.
11So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and asking, “Where is He?”
12Many in the crowds were whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.”
13Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After these things Jesus travels in Galilee. He does not want to travel in Judea because the Jews are seeking to kill Him. The Feast of Booths is near.
Jesus' brothers tell Him to leave Galilee and go to Judea so His disciples may see the works He is doing. They say no one who wants to be known openly acts in secret and urge Him to show Himself to the world.
John explains that even His brothers do not believe in Him. Jesus tells them that His time has not yet come, but their time is always here. The world cannot hate them, but it hates Him because He testifies that its works are evil.
Jesus tells His brothers to go to the feast and says He is not going because His time has not yet come. He remains in Galilee. After they have left, He also goes, in secret. John reports both the initial decision to stay and the later journey; Jesus does not make the public appearance His brothers have urged.
Their advice assumes that displaying His power will win recognition. Jesus has already explained why the world hates Him: He exposes its evil. At the feast, even calling Him a good man is controversial, and fear keeps the discussions private. His brothers want Him to be seen, but they have not yet believed in the One they want to promote.
Questions
1 Why does Jesus remain in Galilee?
AnswerPeople in Judea are trying to kill Him. He also tells His brothers that His time has not yet come.
2 What do Jesus' brothers urge Him to do?
AnswerThey urge Him to go publicly to Judea and display His works to the world, assuming public visibility is the path to recognition.
3 What does Jesus say about the world's hatred?
AnswerHe says the world hates Him because He testifies that its works are evil, while His brothers are not receiving that same opposition.
4 How does Jesus finally go to the feast?
AnswerAfter His brothers leave, He goes in secret. He does not follow their advice to make a public display of His works.
What This Means for Us
Jesus refuses to let family pressure or public visibility set the timing of His mission. Faithfulness is not the same as making every good work as visible as possible.
His testimony that the world's works are evil explains the hostility, but it does not authorize His followers to become hostile people. Speak truth with courage and let God govern the results.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep our household from chasing recognition or mistaking publicity for faithfulness. Give us courage to tell the truth about evil, patience with Your timing, and gentleness toward those who do not yet believe. Amen.