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JOHN 7:39 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 7:38John 7:40
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified — John's editorial comment clarifies that Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit. The statement 'the Holy Ghost was not yet given' does not mean the Spirit did not exist but that the gift of the Spirit in its fullness (promised in the NT and experienced at Pentecost) awaited Jesus's glorification. The glorification (glorification in death and resurrection) is the condition for the Spirit's outpouring. This explains the eschatological logic: believers who drink will drink the Spirit, which comes only after the cross and resurrection.

Church Fathers on John 7:39

The feast being over, and the people about to return home, our Lord gives them provisions for the way: On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and drink.

Chrysostom · 4th century

The feast was then going on, which is called scenopegia, i.e. building of tents.

Augustine · 4th century

To make Himself audible, inspire confidence in others, and show an absence of all fear in Himself.

Theophylact · 11th century
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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John 7:39 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy