37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
Read John 7:37-52 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
During the last day of the festival Jesus attended in the middle of His ministry, His final statement divides the crowd present. This crowd was mixed with average Jews, Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and also the temple guards who happened to be standing by to arrest Him.
After Jesus had finished speaking, John tells us that the crowd was divided over who Jesus was. Some said, “Surely this man is the Prophet,” while others said, “He is the Messiah.” (v. 40-41a)
John even points our attention to the question that was plaguing the minds of those present, which was “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” (v. 41b-42)
The crowd was very aware of the prophecies regarding the Messiah. They knew He would be born in Bethlehem, and they knew that He would be from David’s descendants. On the surface, Jesus didn’t seem to fit that prophecy in their minds because they all assumed that He was born where He was raised.
John summarizes what happens by saying “Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.” (v. 43-44)
This summary statement, while sounding very plain, actually contains a pretty powerful truth in it: Jesus divides people. While what Jesus said helps cause this separation, the greater reason for this separation is simply because of who Jesus is. Jesus’ character and His claims caused division. Jesus’ “hometown” caused division. Jesus caused division among those present. Some wanted to arrest Him, others wanted to worship Him. There isn’t much more division possible than that.
In our own lives, Jesus still causes division. Believing in Jesus may end some relationships while starting others. Some people may choose to no longer associate with us because of our faith. Others may begin to associate with us as we grow spiritually. The truth is that Jesus causes division – and where this truth is the most critical for you and I is which side we will choose when faced with the choice regarding who Jesus is. When making the decision, will you believe Jesus is just a man who lived long ago, or will you believe He is worthy of being your Messiah?
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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