John 7:11 — Community Reflections

JOHN 7:11 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?”

Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? — the Jewish authorities are actively searching for Jesus ('sought him'), indicating that the danger mentioned in 7:1 is real and present. The festive crowds ask questions about Jesus's whereabouts, suggesting he is famous and anticipated. The seeking of 'the Jews' (the authorities) is predatory; the crowd's questions are more neutral curiosity. This sets up the tension that will unfold: the authorities want to arrest him; the crowds are divided about who he is.

Church Fathers on John 7:11

Our Lord at first declares that He will not go up to the feast, (I go not up with you,) in order not to expose Himself to the rage of the Jews; and therefore we read, that, When He had said these words to them, He abode still in Galilee. Afterwards, however, He goes up; But when His brethren were gone up, then went He also up to the feast.
Theophylact · 11th century

He went up, however, not to get temporary glory, but, to teach wholesome doctrine, and remind men of the eternal feast.
Augustine · 4th century

He goes up, not to suffer, but to teach. And He goes up secretly; because, though He could have gone openly, and kept the violence and impetuosity of the Jews in check, as He had often done before; yet to do this every time, would have disclosed His divinity; and he wished to establish the fact of His incarnation, and to teach us the way of life. And He went up privately too, to show us what we ought to do, who cannot check our persecutors. It is not said, however, in secret,…
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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