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John 7:1- After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk
in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
John 7:2- Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

John 7:3- His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into
Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
John 7:4- For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself
seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the
world.

John 7:5- For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Lesson Notes:

(John 7:1-2) – Six months from the close of the previous chapter, Jesus-Messiah chose not to
appear publicly in Jerusalem (Jewry). The celebration of Rosh-Hashana, which incorporated the
Feast of Trumpets, and the Feast of Tabernacle, required all Jews to travel to Jerusalem to
attend the series of feast in obedience to sacred law.

(John 7:3-4) – Four brothers are identified in Matthew 13:55 living in the residential household
of the Messiah, James (Yaacob), Jose (Yosef), Simon (Shimon/Simeon), Judas (Yehuda). The
Messiah was the elder brother to the four siblings. Accepting their brother as the Messiah was
not automatic. John’s Gospel makes it clear that the brothers did not support the three-year
tenure of the Messiah’s ministry. After the resurrection of Christ, James, the second eldest
among the brothers, would take leadership of the first century Church but there is no evidence
of participation in the ministry while He lived. (Acts 12:17, 21:8/ Gal. 1;19,*2:9)

The brothers tempt Him to test His fate, prodding Him to resume His public ministry and openly
attend the feast in Jerusalem. They are familiar with His claim to be divine and without doubt
have witnessed firsthand His unique abilities, perhaps some things seen only by them within
the closed doors of their family home.

He is baited to demonstrate His extraordinary works to a larger audience and fully reveal His
claim as the Messiah to all of Jewry. There were occasions when the Messiah asked those that
He healed not to reveal His identity to others. (Matt. 8:4, 16:20) The brothers challenge His
practice of anonymity, wanting the world to know His secret identity.

It is possible that they were also testing His obedience to upholding sacred Jewish law.
If He chose not to attend He would violate duty as an orthodox Jew and practicing Rabbi. He
would be criticized for preserving His life above obedience to the law.

(John 7:5) – John states clearly that the residential brethren of Jesus-Messiah did not believe in
Him. They did not accept Him to be anyone beyond their natural assessment of Him. Already
reckoning with the loss of disciples a few months earlier, The Messiah also had to face rejection
within His natural family.
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