John 7:5 kjv
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
John 7:5 nkjv
For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
John 7:5 niv
For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
John 7:5 esv
For not even his brothers believed in him.
John 7:5 nlt
For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
John 7 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 7:5 | For not even his brothers believed in him. | Current Verse |
| Mark 3:21 | When his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” | Shows family concern/disbelief |
| John 2:12 | After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers, his disciples, and his father's house. | Mentions brothers present with Jesus |
| Acts 1:14 | These with one accord were devoted to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. | Brothers later believed and joined disciples |
| 1 Corinthians 15:7 | After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. | James, Jesus' brother, becomes prominent |
| Galatians 1:19 | But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. | Confirms James is Jesus' brother |
| Matthew 12:46-50 | While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. | Demonstrates external perception of family |
| Psalm 69:8 | I have become an alien to my brothers, and a stranger to my mother’s children. | Prophetic fulfillment of familial estrangement |
| John 9:16 | Some of the Pharisees therefore said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a sinner do such signs?” So there was a division among them. | Disbelief even from religious leaders |
| John 10:25 | Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, | Jesus directly addresses disbelief |
| John 12:37 | Though he had done so many signs before them, they still believed in him. | Pervasive lack of faith |
| Romans 11:26 | and in this way all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob;” | Future salvation of Israel, including family |
| John 7:42 | Did not the Scripture say that the Christ, the son of David, from the town of Bethlehem, where David was, would come? | Questions about Messiahship criteria |
| 1 John 1:7 | but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. | Emphasis on belief and fellowship |
| Matthew 13:55-57 | Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? | Common skepticism about Jesus' origins |
| Isaiah 53:1-3 | Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young shoot, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. | Messianic prophecies of rejection |
| John 1:11 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. | Jesus' reception by His own people |
| Hebrews 5:7-8 | In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. | Jesus' submission despite hardships |
| 1 Peter 3:20 | when the patience of God continued more steadfastly in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. | Perseverance through trials |
| John 8:30 | As he was saying these things, many believed in him. | Contrasts with his brothers' disbelief |
John 7 verses
John 7 5 Meaning
Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him. This is a crucial statement revealing the initial disbelief and lack of understanding from His closest family members during His earthly ministry.
John 7 5 Context
This verse is situated within John's Gospel, specifically in chapter 7, where Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. His brothers have just urged Him to go to Judea and perform His signs openly, implying they expected Him to reveal Himself to the world at that prominent festival. However, their motivation is questionable, stemming from a lack of belief in His divine identity and mission. They seem to perceive His public ministry more as an opportunity for His own advancement rather than a divine calling. Jesus' subsequent refusal to go with them, and His decision to go later, “not publicly but as it were in secret,” underscores the tension between His divine timing and the earthly expectations, even of His own family. This lack of faith from His family is a recurring theme, highlighting the profound nature of His divine claims which often met with resistance and misunderstanding.
John 7 5 Word Analysis
- For (γαρ, gar): Conjunction introducing a reason or explanation for a preceding statement or implication. It signals that what follows explains why Jesus did not go up publicly with His brothers.
- not (ου, ou): Negation. Absolute denial.
- even (και, kai): A conjunction that can mean "and," "but," or "even." Here, it emphasizes the extent of the disbelief—it wasn't just outsiders, but even His own close family.
- his (αυτου, autou): Possessive pronoun, referring to Jesus.
- brothers (αδελφων, adelphōn): Plural noun. Refers to Jesus’ male siblings, children of Joseph and Mary (Matthew 13:55).
- Significance: This term carries significant weight as it refers to His immediate earthly family. The fact that they did not believe is presented as a noteworthy point of contention or explanation.
- Multiple Interpretations of "Brothers": While typically understood as biological siblings, some interpretations suggest they could be Joseph's children from a previous marriage (Epiphania tradition), or cousins. However, the Greek word used (adelphos) most commonly denotes a literal sibling. The early church father Jerome favored the cousin interpretation, while others maintained they were full brothers. Regardless, their lack of faith is the pivotal point.
- believed (επιστευον, episteuon): Imperfect active indicative of πιστευω (pisteuō), meaning "to believe," "to trust," "to have faith." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past, suggesting their lack of belief was an ongoing state.
- Significance: This verb signifies assent, conviction, and reliance. Their failure to believe means they did not accept Jesus' identity, claims, or mission.
- in (εις, eis): Preposition indicating motion into or entrance. Here, it means belief into or upon Him.
- him (αυτον, auton): Pronoun referring to Jesus.
Grouped Analysis:
- "not even his brothers believed in him": This concise statement encapsulates the profound irony and sorrow that Jesus' closest kin were among those who did not recognize His divine nature. It highlights the radical nature of Jesus' claims and the difficult reception He often faced. The use of "even" amplifies the significance of their disbelief, implying a higher expectation of belief from those so intimately connected to Him. The imperfect tense on "believed" suggests this was not a one-time lapse but a persistent state of unbelief during this period.
John 7 5 Bonus Section
The unbelief of Jesus' brothers provides a theological point of contrast with His divine nature and mission. It underscores that familial ties, while important, are secondary to the spiritual reality of faith. Their initial skepticism is a human element that makes Jesus' eventual acceptance by them, and their later prominence (especially James as a leader in the early Jerusalem church), a testament to God's sovereign grace. It mirrors the broader theme in John's Gospel where Jesus' identity is not readily accepted by many, including His own people, as stated in John 1:11 ("He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him."). This verse is crucial for understanding the challenges Jesus faced and the often counter-intuitive way His ministry unfolded.
John 7 5 Commentary
Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him. This lack of faith from His own family is a poignant aspect of His earthly ministry. They perceived His public ministry and miraculous signs with a worldly perspective, as evidenced by their suggestion that He should "show yourself to the world" at the Feast of Tabernacles. Their motive seems to have been a desire for His fame or advancement, rather than a genuine understanding of His divine purpose. This initial unbelief of His brothers, however, is contrasted later in Acts where they are found praying with the apostles, indicating a subsequent transformation. Their later belief and incorporation into the early church, particularly James, demonstrates the redemptive power of God reaching even those who initially doubted. The verse also serves as a stark reminder that divine truth and identity do not always win immediate acceptance, even from those who are physically closest.