John 7:19

In John 7:19, Jesus directly confronts the hypocrisy and murderous intent of the Jewish leaders during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates a critical moment of tension, revealing the spiritual blindness of those who claimed to uphold God’s Law while actively plotting against the Son of God.

Context

This statement by Jesus occurs while He is teaching openly in the Temple courts, a daring act given the escalating hostility towards Him. The backdrop is the Feast of Tabernacles, a major Jewish festival that drew many pilgrims to Jerusalem. The Jewish authorities, particularly the Pharisees and chief priests, were already seeking to arrest or kill Jesus because of His previous actions, such as healing a man on the Sabbath (John 5:9) and claiming equality with God (John 5:18). Jesus’ question here exposes their inherent contradiction: they professed allegiance to the Law given by Moses, yet their hearts were filled with murderous intent, a direct violation of that very Law.

Key Themes

• Hypocrisy Unveiled: Jesus highlights the stark contrast between the leaders' outward adherence to the Law and their inward corruption. They prided themselves on their Mosaic heritage, yet failed to live by its fundamental principles.
• Misunderstanding the Law: The Jewish leaders had reduced the Law to external rituals and traditions, missing its spirit, which calls for righteousness, justice, and mercy. Their focus on legalistic interpretations blinded them to the Law's true purpose, which was to point to God and His Messiah.
• The Spirit of Murder: The question, "Why go ye about to kill me?" directly accuses them of violating the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). This reveals their profound spiritual depravity despite their religious facade.
• Divine Authority: Jesus, as the divine Son, speaks with ultimate authority, exposing the hearts of His accusers. He not only knows their thoughts but directly challenges their actions, demonstrating His insight into their true motives.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Law" in this verse, from the Greek word nomos, refers to the Torah, the foundational divine instruction given through Moses. Jesus’ accusation that "none of you keepeth the law" is not a blanket statement against all individuals, but a pointed indictment of the religious authorities who were actively seeking to murder Him. The phrase "go ye about to kill me" emphasizes their deliberate and malicious intent, a stark contrast to the divine Law they claimed to uphold.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

• Examine Our Hearts: It challenges us to look beyond outward religious observance and honestly examine our inner motives and attitudes. Do we harbor malice, anger, or prejudice, even while claiming to follow God? As Jesus taught, anger can be akin to murder in the heart (Matthew 5:22).
• Understand the Spirit of the Law: True obedience to God's commandments involves not just external conformity but a transformation of the heart, driven by love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39).
• Beware of Spiritual Blindness: The passage warns against the danger of religious pride and self-righteousness, which can blind individuals to truth and lead them to reject God's appointed messengers, or even God Himself.