Reading for February 21st

 Read John 7.41-36. In 7.11-52: At the feast. In 11-12: Complaining, arguing or murmuring about him (compare 6.41). There were different groups: the Jewish leaders, 7.1, 11; divided crowd(s), 7.12, 30-31, 40-44, 49; 8.30; 9.16; 10.19-21; the Pharisees and chief priests (who may be the leaders of 7.1, 11), 7.32, 45. Opinion of Jesus was divided (a) Jesus' goodness (5.6, 9, 14.15; 7.23; 9.30-33); (b) Jesus as deceiver (5.6, 16, 18.23-24; 7.45-52; 9.28, 34). In verse 13: Fear of the Jews suggests that they were powerful leaders (compare 9.22; 12.42; 19 38; 20.19). In verse 14: Jesus enters the Temple and exists on in 8.59. The secret visit has become public (compare 7.28). In verses 15-18: Jesus' integrity is shown by the selfless seeking of the Fathers glory (compare 5.19, 30-31, 41-44 and 8.26-28; 12.43; 14.10). In verse 19: Moses, see 5.39, 45-47; kill me, see 5.16-18. In verse 21: One work, see 5.39. In verses 22-24: Sabbath, see Gen 17.9-14; Lev 12.3. If tradition allowed for circumcision on the sabbath, why not healing (literally "making whole")? The critics use a double standard (compare 8.15). In verses 25-29: Jesus' secret arrival in Jerusalem led to dramatic appearance in the Temple (v. 14). The mystery of his origin is now subject of Jesus' teaching (see also 8.14; 9.29; 19.9). In verse 30: His hour had not yet come: a warning that the time of arrest and execution would come. In verse 31: The leaders are at times part of the crowd, at times distinguished from it, causing some confusion in the language. In verses 32-26: Pharisees alternates with Jews as the term for Jesus' opponents (see 7.45, 47; 8.13; 9.13, 15, 16, 40). Chief priests, see 12.10 18.35; 16.6, 15. This context makes clear that jews means "religious leaders," not all people. A combination of Pharisees and chief priests acted to arrest Jesus., indicating a decision by the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish political governing body ( (see 11.47). In verses 33-36: Jesus is still in the temple. His audience includes the Jews. A little while, see 12.35; 13.33; 14.19; 16.16-19. The misunderstanding of going to the Diaspora Jews among the Greeks (gentiles) may foreshadow the mission to the nations (compare 12.20). Comments or Questions..