25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? (John 7:25-31 KJV)
Can This Be the Christ?
Christ discourses with them concerning himself, where he came from, and where he was going (John 7:25-36).
Whence he came (John 7:25-31). Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who seemed most prejudiced against him, said (John 7:25), “Is not this he whom they seek to kill?” Those from the country did not know there was a plot against him (John 7:20), but those of Jerusalem did and tried to provoke the rulers to act. They said (John 7:26), “He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to him; do the rulers know indeed that this is the Christ?” Here they slyly insinuated two things:
First, that the rulers were allowing their authority to be undermined. “Must one condemned as a deceiver be permitted to speak boldly? This makes their sentence a vain threat.” The worst persecutions have often been carried out under the pretense of supporting authority.
Second, that the rulers’ judgment was questionable. “How came they to change their mind? Do they believe he is the Christ?” This was said ironically. When religion and the profession of Christ are out of fashion, many oppose them just to avoid suspicion of favoring them. Apostates and the degenerate offspring of good parents have sometimes been worse than others. It was strange the rulers did not seize Christ, but his hour had not yet come; God can restrain men’s hands even without changing their hearts.
They also objected (John 7:27), “We know this man, where he is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where he is from.” This was flawed reasoning. If they spoke of his divine nature, it is true that no one knows where the Christ is from, for his goings forth are from everlasting (Micah 5:2). But it is false that they knew where Jesus was from, for they did not know his divine nature. If they spoke of his human nature, it is true they knew his mother and upbringing, but false that the Messiah’s birthplace was unknown, for it was prophesied (Matthew 2:4-5).
They despised him because they knew his background. Familiarity breeds contempt, though they should have loved him the more. They also wrongly used Scripture to justify their prejudice.
Christ answered (John 7:28-29) by speaking loudly in the temple, showing both his earnestness and making sure even those standing far off could hear. He granted they might know his origin in the flesh: “You know me, and you know where I am from.” But they were mistaken, thinking he was the carpenter’s son from Nazareth. He told them what they did not know—that he did not come of himself, but was sent by his Father. He is from the Father by eternal generation, as beams are from the sun. The Father is true, having kept his promise to send the Messiah. They did not know the Father, and rejecting Christ showed it. But Jesus knew the Father perfectly (Matthew 11:27).
This provoked his enemies (John 7:30), who tried to seize him but could not, because his hour had not yet come. Faithful preachers must expect to be hated, but God restrains the power of persecutors. Until the hour God has appointed, no enemy can prevail.
Still, many of the people believed in him (John 7:31). Though the leaders opposed him, the miracles convinced them—works that only God could do (Isaiah 35:5-6). Their faith was weak, reasoning only, “When the Christ comes, will he do more signs than these?” Weak faith may still be true faith, accepted by Christ.