John 7:40-53 – Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” 50 Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 53 And everyone went to his home.
“Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him.” After listening to Jesus and seeing the miracles He had performed some of the people thought that He was the prophet that Moses had told them would come after him. (Deuteronomy 18:15) Others thought that He was the Christ. So there was a group who believed what Jesus said. Not that they necessarily were His disciples, but at least they were moved by the Lord and curious to know more. Unlike others among them.
Some were saying this is not the Christ because Jesus came from Galilee and the Messiah would not come from Galilee. Isn’t it like those in authority to express their opinions, or what they have heard, as fact when actually they don’t know the facts? Error they have been learned and so they teach what they have learned but what is, in fact, incorrect. The Jews from Jerusalem, being self-righteous, believed that the Messiah would, like them, come from the Judean area. They thought their area was where scholars and priests came from and so must the Messiah. Yet they were wrong in various ways. They thought, but were wrong in thinking Nazareth was where Jesus was born, which would make Him a Galilean. Actually Jesus was born among them in Bethlehem,in Judea. (Matthew 2:1-6) So, by their reasoning, the birthplace of Jesus did not deny that He was Messiah, but by their reasoning, should have caused His birthplace to give weight to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah. And the belief of where their Messiah would be born was wrong by their own Scripture. (Micah 5:2) He was raised in Nazareth in Galilee, but He was born in Bethlehem just south of Jerusalem. Isn’t it odd those who are not confident of their situation, or are lying, can so confidently assert their situation and spread deadly lies?
Beware the person who says believe me because of my school or lineage. Instead, believe the one who can prove their beliefs by the Word.
“And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” In John 7:30 we also see that the authorities sought to arrest Jesus, but they could not, because it was not in the Father’s timing. See also John 8:20.
“The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him? 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? ”” These officers, sent out to arrest Jesus, were employed by the chief priests and Pharisees. But once they listened to Jesus, and heard from the “people of the land” what signs Jesus had performed, they just could not arrest Him. Though they may not have ever become disciples of Jesus, they listened with open ears and were at least moved enough, and intuitive enough, to not rise up and arrest Him even if the leaders of their government told them to. In our day we need such people who will not do evil even if ordered to by their superiors. 2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” In our day, though many say they are committed to the Lord, is the gate still narrow? The authorities forced themselves to hell and dragged as many as they could with them. (Matthew 23:15) The authorities would not believe and forbade others to believe and be saved. Misery loves company but in hell, no company will be able to help. But those who lead others to Jesus shall eternally enjoy the bliss of the eternal company of our Savior and Lord Jesus.
“But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” Again the authorities say to believe in them because of their scholarship and authority. Those who don’t listen to them, the authorities say, must be under a curse from God. Well, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?
“Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” The Pharisees had just said that none of them believed in Jesus and now, here is Nicodemus, though softly, speaking up for Jesus. He reminded them that a man cannot be condemned without first a trial in which He can call witnesses and speak in His own defense. He is reminding them who are condemning Jesus that in fact they are the law breakers by what they plan to do to Jesus. Hypocrisy is a sin with deadly potential.
“They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” The one man amongst them who honestly sought Jesus out to hear him, they immediately turned against him because he dared to not believe what his own were saying. Perhaps they were truly no longer his own? Be careful of those who demand you follow without thinking. The Apostle Paul praised the Bereans for searching out the truth in the scriptures. (Acts 17:11) Don’t trust anyone who will not allow you to consider a matter.
“And everyone went to his home.” Everyone went to their homes. Where did Jesus go to? He was readying Himself to go to His home, with His Father. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.