Thoughts on the Gospel of John (42) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Some of them from Jerusalem said, Is this not he whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? However, we know where this man is from; but when the Christ comes, no-one knows where he is from.
John 7:25-27.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (42)
What the Lord had taught publicly aroused amazement among some citizens of Jerusalem. They clearly knew that the Jewish leaders wished to kill Him (cf. John 5:18), in contrast to the multitude who could hardly believe that anyone had such an intention (cf. v. 20). Did they tolerate His preaching, His doctrine unrestrictedly? No-one was preventing Him.

Then came the question what the leaders thought of Him. Was He the Christ or not? It seems a rhetorical question, for no answer was expected. The people clearly thought that the leaders were not convinced. In their opinion Jesus could not be the Christ.

Even today this debate about Christ continues. Few people doubt that He lived. But the fact that He is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16) is rejected, because they would be responsible to Him otherwise.

Were the inhabitants of Jerusalem really ignorant as to the Christ's origin? They knew very well that Jesus, whose name they would not even express, came from the despised city of Nazareth in Galilee. But how could they not know where the Messiah came from? The prophet Micah stated unmistakeably that He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1). So why such ignorance?

Whoever acknowledges Jesus to be the Son of God knows that He had come from God the Father. He is not a mere human being, but God and Man in one Person.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Genesis 26:1-17 · Psalms 10:12-18