What does John 7:32-36 mean?

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? 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)

Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus

Here we see where Jesus was going (John 7:32-36). The Pharisees and chief priests, hearing whispers of respect for Jesus, were enraged (John 7:32). They sent officers to arrest him, for the surest way to scatter the flock is to smite the shepherd. Both Pharisees and chief priests, though leaders in learning and religion, were his greatest enemies.

Jesus said (John 7:33-34), “Yet a little while I am with you, and then I go to him who sent me. You will seek me and not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” For himself, these words were full of comfort:

1. He had only a short time left in this troublesome world (John 17:11).
2. When he left, he would go willingly to the One who sent him, returning as an ambassador after completing his mission.
3. Their persecutions could not reach him in heaven; even now, in his divine nature, he was there already (John 3:13).

For his enemies, these words warned of judgment. They wanted to be rid of him; soon they would have their wish. But they would regret it too late—seeking him and not finding him (Proverbs 1:28; Luke 17:22). They would also be unable to enter heaven, not only because they were excluded by God’s sentence, but because their hearts were unfit for it.

They said among themselves (John 7:35-36), “Where will he go that we shall not find him? Will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?” Their blindness was willful—he had told them where he was going, but they ignored it. They mocked his warning instead of trembling. All they feared was losing power over him. They disdained the Gentiles and dreaded any favor shown to them. Yet, after his ascension, he did send the gospel to the Gentiles through his apostles, to the grief of the Jews (Romans 10:19). The fear of the wicked shall come upon them.