Divergent Views

John 7:40-52

40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed”. 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee”.

Notes

On the last day of the Feast of Booths, Jesus invited all who thirst to come to Him. He proclaimed that whoever believes in Him will flow rivers of living water. In other words, those who believe will never thirst again. Jesus spoke of the promise of the Spirit to all who believe. Some believed Him, but some did not. But those who came to arrest Jesus could not arrest Him. Although many marveled at His teachings, it resulted in different reactions. The author of the Gospel of John will reveal that the Pharisees practice false judgement.

1. Division

   Some people believed Jesus to be the Prophet or the Christ. However, some had questions because He came from Galilee. They expected the Messiah to come from Bethlehem. Thus, the people were divided.

   
   40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him (John 7:40-44).

2. Dilemma

   The Jewish officers could not arrest Jesus. Thus, the Pharisees and chief priests questioned them. Their response was simple, “No one ever spoke like this man!” Aside from the divided crowd, perhaps the teachings affected them as well.
   
   45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed” (John 7:45-49).

3. False Judgement

   Nicodemus spoke out and asked a valid, rhetorical question. He was challenging the direction of the thinking of his peers. However, the response of the Pharisees showed that they were not concerned with due process.

   
   50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:50-52).

Application

1. Expect Division

   When preaching the gospel, expect division. Some will believe, but others will not. But many will marvel at the gospel. Nevertheless, we must proclaim that He is the living water who will quench our spiritual, mental, and emotional thirsts.

2. Decide

   The religious police could not arrest Him; they experienced a dilemma. However, we do not have the same dilemma. Because we believe, then we are decisive. But our decisiveness comes from the Father, not from us.

3. Avoid False Judgement

   The enemies of the gospel do not think fair. Moreover, they thought they were doing good by opposing Christ even if they have not learned enough. We are not like them. We study the Scriptures, which leads us to believe in Christ.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Explain the different reactions of the listeners.

2. How did the Pharisees react to the officers who failed to arrest Jesus?

3. In what do the Pharisees practice false judgement? How can we avoid it?