32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? {Gentiles: or, Greeks} 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? (John 7:32-36 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. How enraged the Pharisees were, when they heard that so many of the common people were brought to believe in Christ, and to cleave unto Christ, insomuch that they sent public officers, armed with authority, to apprehend our blessed Saviour: The Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take him.
Learn thence, That nothing more enrages the enemies of religion, and draws trouble on the preachers and professors of it, than the success which the gospel at any time meets with.
Observe, 2. Our Saviour tells them that as they desired to be rid of him, so ere long they should have their desire: he would leave them, and go to his Father, and in his absence they would wish for his bodily presence again, but should not have it.
Learn, The despisers of Christ have little cause to be weary of him, and to seek to put him away by violence and persecution; for their obstinate contempt of him will cause him to depart from them, and finally to forsake them.
Observe, 3. How the Jews, not understanding our Saviour’s words aright, reasoned among themselves, whether, by leaving of them, he meant to go into some Pagan country, and teach the Gentiles the mysteries of the Jewish religion; which above all things they could not endure to hear.
Learn hence, That it is the ordinary sin of a people privileged with the means of grace, not to be sensible of the hazard or danger of Christ’s leaving and forsaking them: till at last he forsakes them finally, and casts them off, to their inevitable unutterable condemnation. Thus did our Lord deal with the Jews here; I go my way, and whither I go, ye cannot come.