John 7:16

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} them {G846}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, My {G1699} doctrine {G1322} is {G2076} not {G3756} mine {G1699}, but {G235} his that sent {G3992} me {G3165}.

So Yeshua gave them an answer: “My teaching is not my own, it comes from the One who sent me.

“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.

Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.

In John 7:16, Jesus powerfully declares the divine origin of His teachings, directly addressing the crowd's wonder at His wisdom. This verse is a foundational statement about the source of His authority and the truthfulness of His message.

Context

This statement by Jesus occurs during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Many people were astonished by Jesus' teaching, questioning how He possessed such profound knowledge without formal rabbinic training (John 7:15). In response to their unspoken question about His authority and education, Jesus clarifies that His "doctrine" or teaching does not originate from Himself, but from God the Father who "sent" Him. This sets the stage for further revelations about His unique relationship with the Father and His divine mission.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Origin: The primary message is that Jesus' teachings are not mere human philosophy or His own invention, but direct revelation from God the Father. This underscores the absolute truth and reliability of His words.
  • Submission to the Father: Jesus consistently models perfect obedience and dependence on God. His statement, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me," highlights His humble submission to the Father's will and purpose, even in His teaching ministry. This theme is echoed throughout John's Gospel, as seen in John 5:30 where He states, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
  • The Source of Truth: For those seeking genuine spiritual truth, Jesus points them beyond Himself, to the ultimate source—God. This challenges listeners to consider the divine nature of His message rather than just His human appearance or lack of traditional schooling.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "doctrine" here is didachē (διδαχή), which refers to teaching, instruction, or the content of what is taught. It encompasses both the method and the substance of Jesus' communication. The phrase "his that sent me" (τοῦ πέμψαντός με – tou pempsantos me) emphasizes the active commissioning and divine initiative of the Father. This concept of being "sent" is crucial in John's Gospel, appearing over 40 times to signify Jesus' unique mission and authority as the Father's chosen representative.

Practical Application

For believers today, John 7:16 offers profound assurance and guidance:

  • Reliability of Jesus' Words: We can trust every word Jesus spoke because it originates directly from God. His teachings are not subject to human error or limited understanding, but are divine truth. Consider how Jesus explicitly states that He does nothing of Himself, but as the Father has taught Him.
  • Discerning Truth: This verse provides a standard for evaluating all teachings. Any doctrine claiming to be from God must align with the character and will of the Father, as perfectly revealed through Jesus Christ.
  • Humility in Ministry: For those who teach or lead, Jesus provides the ultimate example of humility and dependence. Our message should always point to God's truth, not our own wisdom or opinions.

Ultimately, this verse calls us to recognize Jesus not merely as a wise teacher, but as the embodiment of divine truth, perfectly revealing the will of the Father.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 14:24

    He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

  • John 14:10

    Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

  • John 17:8

    For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

  • John 5:30

    I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

  • John 5:23

    That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

  • John 5:24

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

  • John 3:11

    Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

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