John 7 41

John 7:41 kjv

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

John 7:41 nkjv

Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee?

John 7:41 niv

Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others asked, "How can the Messiah come from Galilee?

John 7:41 esv

Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee?

John 7:41 nlt

Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?

John 7 verses

John 7 41 Meaning

John 7:41 encapsulates the intense division among the people concerning the identity of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The verse highlights two opposing viewpoints: some affirmed Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, while others questioned His messianic claims based on a prevailing, yet ultimately flawed, understanding that the Christ could not originate from Galilee. This central debate reveals a conflict between direct observation and specific messianic expectations rooted in prophecy, showcasing a fundamental misunderstanding among the populace regarding Jesus' true origin and fulfillment of scripture.

John 7 41 Context

John chapter 7 narrates Jesus' journey to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This festival was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals for Jews, characterized by joyous celebration and Messianic hopes. Within this bustling and religiously charged atmosphere, Jesus teaches openly in the temple, sparking widespread debate about His identity and authority. The authorities are intent on arresting Him, but their plans are thwarted, often due to the intervention of the temple guards or the people's awe at His words. Verse 41 captures the climax of the people's ongoing discussion, demonstrating the fundamental divide among the crowd regarding whether Jesus fulfills the prophetic expectations of the Messiah. The question about Galilee stems from a prevalent, albeit incomplete, understanding of Messianic prophecies, particularly those that pointed to Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace and Davidic lineage. The people, knowing Jesus' common association with Nazareth in Galilee, stumbled over this apparent contradiction, unaware of His Bethlehem birth and royal heritage. This scene is pivotal, showcasing the tension between the common perception of Jesus and the deeper truth of His origin, a truth not easily discerned by those who held preconceived notions.

John 7 41 Word analysis

• Others said: "Others" (ἄλλοι - alloi) indicates a distinct group with a different opinion. It immediately establishes a fractured response among the crowds gathered at the temple. This fragmentation of opinion is a recurring theme in John's Gospel, highlighting the profound impact of Jesus' ministry, which elicits strong, often opposing, reactions.
• “This is the Christ.”: "This" (οὗτος - houtos) points to Jesus, directly identifying Him. "Christ" (ὁ Χριστός - ho Christos, Greek) translates the Hebrew "Messiah" (מָשִׁיחַ - Mashiach), meaning "Anointed One." This title signifies the long-awaited King, Deliverer, Prophet, and Priest, who was promised in the Old Testament. For some in the crowd, Jesus' signs, teachings, and authority pointed unequivocally to His messianic identity. This is a profound statement of belief.
• But some said: "But some" (τίνες - tines, followed by δέ - de for contrast) again emphasizes division, presenting a counter-argument to the previous assertion. It highlights the deeply ingrained cultural and scriptural expectations that filtered their understanding of who the Messiah would be.
• “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?”: This question reflects a critical point of contention and misunderstanding. "Galilee" (Γαλιλαίας - Galilaias) was a northern region, largely dismissed by Judeans who viewed it as less religiously pure or culturally sophisticated. The objection is based on the popular interpretation of scriptures (e.g., Mic 5:2) that foretold the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem and His descent from David in Judea, not from Galilee. This reveals a partial knowledge of scripture coupled with an incomplete understanding of Jesus' true origin (He was born in Bethlehem, but grew up in Nazareth, Galilee). The question acts as a rhetorical challenge, intended to dismiss Jesus' claim based on a perceived geographical incongruity. It highlights a reliance on outward appearance and superficial knowledge rather than spiritual discernment or a comprehensive understanding of prophecy.

Words-group analysis:

• “Others said, 'This is the Christ.'”: This group represents those who, having observed Jesus' works and heard His teachings, recognized the fulfilled prophecies and internal conviction pointing to His messianic identity. They were not hindered by preconceived notions or geographical biases. This belief shows spiritual insight and openness.
• “But some said, 'Is the Christ to come from Galilee?'”: This opposing group's question reveals a significant intellectual and spiritual barrier. Their "knowledge" of the Messiah's origins, while based on scripture (like Mic 5:2), was incomplete and led to a flawed conclusion because they did not know the full truth of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. This demonstrates how partial knowledge and fixed interpretations, without spiritual discernment, can lead to rejection of truth. The challenge is essentially a polemic against Jesus' apparent background, leveraging common geographic prejudices.

John 7 41 Bonus section

The irony in this verse is profound. While the skeptics accurately cite a general expectation that the Messiah would not come from Galilee (referring to His place of origin/residence), they were unknowingly mistaken about Jesus' actual birth origin. He was born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1, Lk 2:4-7), fulfilling Micah 5:2. His upbringing in Nazareth of Galilee (Matt 2:23) actually fulfilled Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:15-16, indicating that the Messiah would preach in "Galilee of the Gentiles." Therefore, Jesus fulfilled prophecies regarding both His birth (Bethlehem in Judea) and His primary area of ministry (Galilee). The crowd's objection, based on their limited knowledge, unintentionally underscored the multifaceted nature of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Messiah. This scene also foreshadows the future acceptance of Jesus in Galilee compared to the hardened resistance in Judea, illustrating a common biblical theme where those less expected or looked down upon embrace truth more readily.

John 7 41 Commentary

John 7:41 perfectly illustrates the spiritual tension and divided response to Jesus during His public ministry. The passage reveals how people's deeply held, though sometimes incomplete, understandings of Old Testament prophecy and social prejudice hindered their ability to recognize the promised Messiah. While some intuitively or through observation proclaimed Jesus as "the Christ," others were fixated on the common knowledge of His upbringing in Galilee. This overlooked the vital truth that He was born in Bethlehem of Judea, fulfilling Micah's prophecy, and was of Davidic lineage. The core issue here is not a lack of access to prophecy, but a selective and superficial application of it, coupled with a blindness to how God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways. It highlights how outward appearances and popular opinion can obscure divine truth, preventing even genuinely spiritual people from fully grasping who Jesus is. This short verse encapsulates a pervasive human tendency: to rely on what is known or commonly assumed rather than diligently seeking the full truth and exercising spiritual discernment, thus missing God's activity in their midst.