John 7 6

John 7:6 kjv

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

John 7:6 nkjv

Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

John 7:6 niv

Therefore Jesus told them, "My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.

John 7:6 esv

Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.

John 7:6 nlt

Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.

John 7 verses

John 7 6 Meaning

In John 7:6, Jesus articulates a profound contrast between His divinely ordained schedule and the opportune timing for human-driven endeavors. He informs His brothers that His specific, predestined "time" (referring to key events like His public manifestation, suffering, death, and glorification) has not yet arrived according to God's perfect plan. Conversely, He notes that "their time"—referring to moments suitable for worldly ambition, self-promotion, or engaging with common public expectations—is perpetually available and ready for them, implying a life governed by human desires and temporal considerations rather than divine mandate. This verse underscores Jesus' absolute submission to the Father's timing and purpose, in stark contrast to His brothers' desire for Him to act for worldly acclaim.

John 7 6 Context

John chapter 7 opens with Jesus in Galilee, consciously avoiding Judea because Jewish leaders sought to kill Him. As the Feast of Booths (Sukkot), one of Israel's three annual pilgrimage festivals to Jerusalem, approaches, Jesus' brothers urge Him to go to Judea publicly and perform miracles to gain broader recognition. Their motivation (John 7:3-4) is worldly: "show yourself to the world." They wanted Him to capitalize on the public gathering for self-promotion and popular acclaim. John 7:5 explicitly states that "not even His brothers believed in Him" in the true sense; their belief was superficial, seeking spectacle rather than understanding His spiritual mission. This verse (John 7:6) is Jesus' immediate response to their ill-conceived counsel, sharply differentiating His Father-appointed "time" from their human-determined, opportune "time" for worldly success. It also sets the stage for Jesus later going to the feast "not publicly, but in private" (John 7:10), maintaining control over His own disclosure according to divine schedule.

John 7 6 Word analysis

• Then Jesus said: Establishes Jesus' direct response, asserting divine authority over the brothers' counsel.
• to them: Refers to Jesus' brothers (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas mentioned in Matt 13:55-56, Mark 6:3), whose motives were still earthly (John 7:3-5).
• "My time" (ὁ καιρὸς ὁ ἐμός, ho kairos ho emos):
  • καιρός (kairos): This is a crucial Greek term, denoting a specific, opportune, or appointed moment, often with a qualitative or critical significance. It refers to a divinely ordained or propitious "season" or "hour" for an event. It is distinct from chronos (χρόνος), which refers to mere chronological time or duration.
  • Significance: Jesus uses kairos to indicate that His life and ministry, especially His redemptive suffering and glorification, are orchestrated by God the Father. It is not subject to human suggestion or manipulation. It embodies the pre-ordained fulfillment of prophecy.
• "has not yet come," (οὔπω πάρεστιν, oupō parestin):
  • οὔπω (oupō): "not yet," a definitive negative, asserting that the moment of full public disclosure or climactic event is strictly guarded by the Father's timing.
  • πάρεστιν (parestin): "is present," "is here," "has arrived." Thus, "not yet arrived." This reinforces the precise nature of the kairos. Jesus will act only when God determines it is the precise moment.
• "but your time" (ὁ δὲ καιρὸς ὁ ὑμέτερος, ho de kairos ho hymeteros):
  • δὲ (de): "but," a strong contrastive particle, highlighting the dissimilarity between Jesus' and His brothers' situations.
  • καὶρός (kairos): Used here again, but with "your," implying that for them, any time is a suitable "opportune moment" if it serves their human agenda or aligns with worldly opportunities for gain or recognition.
• "is always ready." (πάντοτέ ἐστιν ἕτοιμος, pantote estin hetoimos):
  • πάντοτέ (pantote): "always," "at all times." This stands in sharp contrast to "not yet" regarding Jesus' time. Their time for worldly action is continually accessible.
  • ἕτοιμος (hetoimos): "ready," "prepared," "available." This suggests that their frame of reference is one where human planning, ambition, and the pursuit of public opinion can be enacted at any moment, without waiting for divine direction.

John 7 6 Bonus section

The profound distinction Jesus makes between "My time" and "your time" extends beyond a simple calendar dispute. It represents a fundamental difference between two ways of life and two kingdoms. Jesus' life was an embodiment of submission to the Father's will and perfect timing, culminating in His glorification through the cross, not through public spectacle. His brothers' approach, however, reflected the world's values: seeking fame, validation, and acting according to what seems expedient or popular to achieve self-glory. This verse serves as a constant reminder that for those who follow Christ, living by "God's time" often means patience, obedience, humility, and rejecting the world's call to immediate gratification or human-devised plans that may seem successful but lack divine anointing. It encourages a life lived in spiritual alignment, trusting that God's plans unfold perfectly and at His chosen kairos.

John 7 6 Commentary

John 7:6 is a pivotal verse, showcasing Jesus' unique relationship with the Father and His kingdom mission. His statement, "My time has not yet come," reveals His absolute dependence on divine sovereignty and His rejection of human timetables, particularly those driven by ambition or the desire for superficial popularity. The Greek kairos here is profoundly theological, pointing to the meticulously planned schedule for the Messiah's anointing, suffering, death, and resurrection—events orchestrated by God (e.g., Gal 4:4). This is the "hour" Jesus frequently references in John's Gospel.

In contrast, "your time is always ready" critiques a mindset rooted in worldly opportunity and personal gain. Jesus' brothers, like many in the world, operated on a chronological understanding of time where any moment is ripe for action if it serves human ends or provides a public spectacle. They encouraged Jesus to go to the Feast for an exhibition, essentially urging Him to adopt their worldly kairos (opportune moment) for self-glorification. Jesus firmly distinguishes His Messianic journey—one of submission, suffering, and divine glory—from their worldly quest for immediate recognition. The verse subtly underscores that the world is always prepared to receive and applaud what aligns with its values and systems, but not necessarily what originates from God and challenges those values. It reminds believers to live by God's timetable and purpose, not by the world's dictates or personal convenience.