John 7:2

KJV

Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} the Jews {G2453}' feast {G1859} of tabernacles {G4634} was {G2258} at hand {G1451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the festival of Sukkot in Y’hudah was near;

Berean Standard Bible

However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.

American Standard Version

Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 7:2 serves as a concise yet crucial narrative marker, establishing the immediate historical and religious setting for Jesus' significant public ministry within Jerusalem. By noting the proximity of the "Jews' feast of tabernacles," the evangelist John immediately immerses the reader in a context laden with profound Old Testament symbolism, national expectation, and escalating tension surrounding Jesus' identity and claims, setting the stage for His climactic declarations during this major pilgrimage festival.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows John 7:1, which states that Jesus "would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." This preceding verse establishes a significant backdrop of danger and hostility, explaining why Jesus had been avoiding Judea. John 7:2 then introduces the Feast of Tabernacles, signaling a shift in Jesus' movements and public engagement. Despite the threat, the approaching festival necessitates a decision regarding His presence in Jerusalem. The subsequent verses (John 7:3-10) detail the interaction with His brothers, who urge Him to go to the feast to display His works, and Jesus' initial refusal, followed by His quiet, later arrival. This sets up the dramatic tension and the public discourse that dominates the rest of the chapter, where Jesus' teachings and claims are directly linked to the rituals and themes of the feast.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Feast of Tabernacles" (Sukkot in Hebrew) was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Pentecost) when all Jewish males were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem ([Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - The Three Annual Feasts")). Celebrated in the autumn (late September/early October), it was a week-long joyous occasion with two primary significances. First, it commemorated God's faithful provision and guidance for Israel during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness, when they lived in temporary shelters or "booths" ([Leviticus 23:43](/leviticus/23-43 "Leviticus 23:43 - Dwelling in Booths")). Second, it was a harvest festival, a time of thanksgiving for the year's agricultural bounty. During the feast, specific rituals were performed, including the pouring of water from the Pool of Siloam and the lighting of large menorahs in the Temple courts, which Jesus would later reference in His teachings.
* **Key Themes:** John 7:2 introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the Gospel of John and specifically within this chapter. The mention of the feast highlights **Divine Timing**, emphasizing that Jesus' actions are not random but occur within God's sovereign plan, often coinciding with significant Jewish festivals to underscore His fulfillment of Old Testament types and shadows. The Feast of Tabernacles itself is rich with **Symbolism and Fulfillment**, particularly concerning God's dwelling among His people (the tabernacle/booths) and the provision of water and light in the wilderness. Jesus' later declarations as the source of "living water" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus' Offer of Living Water")) and the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")) directly engage with these feast themes. Furthermore, the verse subtly contributes to the theme of **Tension and Conflict**, as Jesus' presence in Jerusalem during such a public event inevitably intensifies the opposition from the Jewish authorities, who are already seeking to kill Him, as noted in [John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **feast (Greek, _heortḗ'_):** From G1859, meaning "a festival" or "holyday." This word denotes a sacred annual celebration, underscoring the religious significance of the event. The Feast of Tabernacles was not merely a social gathering but a divinely ordained observance, central to Israel's covenant relationship with God. Its designation as a "feast" highlights its importance as a time of pilgrimage, worship, and national remembrance.
* **tabernacles (Greek, _skēnopēgía'_):** From G4634, meaning "the Festival of Tabernacles," literally "tent-pitching" or "dwelling in tents." This term directly references the central practice of the festival, where participants constructed and lived in temporary booths or shelters (sukkot). The word vividly recalls the Israelites' nomadic journey through the wilderness, emphasizing God's miraculous provision and presence during that time, and foreshadowing themes of God dwelling among His people.
* **at hand (Greek, _engýs'_):** From G1451, meaning "near (literally or figuratively, of place or time)." This adverb indicates immediate proximity in time. Its use here emphasizes the imminence of the festival, creating a sense of urgency and expectation. For the narrative, it signifies that the events about to unfold are directly tied to this specific, significant moment in the Jewish calendar, highlighting God's perfect timing for Jesus' public ministry and declarations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles":** This initial phrase sets the scene by identifying the specific religious and cultural context. "The Jews'" indicates that this is a Jewish festival, emphasizing the cultural and religious identity of the people and the setting. The "feast of tabernacles" immediately brings to mind its rich historical and theological background, including the wilderness wandering and the harvest thanksgiving, which will be central to Jesus' later teachings in the chapter.
* **"was at hand.":** This concluding phrase denotes the immediate proximity of the festival in time. It creates a sense of anticipation and urgency, signaling that the narrative is about to transition into a period of heightened activity and public engagement for Jesus. The imminence of the feast provides the necessary catalyst for the events that follow, including Jesus' decision regarding His attendance and the subsequent public debates and teachings.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:2, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. **Setting** is paramount, as the verse immediately establishes the temporal and cultural backdrop for the unfolding narrative. By naming the "Feast of Tabernacles," John invokes a rich tapestry of Old Testament history, ritual, and expectation, which will be directly engaged and fulfilled by Jesus' actions and words. This specific setting is not merely incidental but foundational to understanding the theological depth of the subsequent discourse. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Foreshadowing**. The mention of "tabernacles" (temporary dwellings) subtly foreshadows Jesus' later declarations about Himself as the true dwelling place of God among humanity, and His offer of living water and light, which directly fulfill the symbolic rituals of the feast. The phrase "was at hand" also creates a sense of **Anticipation**, signaling to the reader that significant events are imminent and that Jesus' ministry is about to enter a crucial, high-stakes phase within Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:2, by pinpointing the Feast of Tabernacles, underscores a profound theological truth: God's redemptive plan unfolds within human history, often utilizing established religious frameworks to reveal greater spiritual realities. The feast, commemorating God's dwelling with Israel in the wilderness and His provision of water and light, serves as a divine stage for Jesus to declare Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of these Old Testament types. This verse highlights the tension between the shadow and the substance, preparing the reader for Jesus' claims to be the true source of life and light, thereby challenging the established religious order. It emphasizes that Jesus' ministry is not detached from Israel's heritage but is its climactic culmination, bringing to fruition the promises and symbols of the past.

* [Leviticus 23:33-43](/leviticus/23-33-43 "Leviticus 23:33-43 - Instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles")
* [Zechariah 14:16-19](/zechariah/14-16-19 "Zechariah 14:16-19 - Future Celebration of Tabernacles")
* [Hebrews 8:1-6](/hebrews/8-1-6 "Hebrews 8:1-6 - Christ, the Minister of the True Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:2 reminds us that God's timing is always perfect, even when it seems to us that He is delayed or acting unexpectedly. Just as Jesus chose a significant festival to reveal profound truths about Himself, so too does God orchestrate circumstances in our lives to draw us closer to Him and reveal His purposes. This verse encourages us to look for divine appointments in our daily routines and to recognize how seemingly ordinary events can become platforms for extraordinary spiritual encounters. Understanding the historical and symbolic richness of the Feast of Tabernacles helps us appreciate the depth of Jesus' claims and how He perfectly fulfills the Old Testament's shadows and types. It prompts us to consider where we are seeking our provision, our dwelling, and our light, and to recognize that true satisfaction is found only in Christ, our ultimate shelter and source of living water. We are called to live with an awareness of God's active presence, trusting in His perfect timing and embracing the opportunities He provides for us to encounter and proclaim His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the context of the Feast of Tabernacles deepen your appreciation for Jesus' teachings in John 7 and 8?**
* **In what ways do you see God's "perfect timing" at work in your own life or in the broader narrative of salvation history?**
* **How can we, like the Feast of Tabernacles, intentionally create spaces or times to remember God's faithful provision and presence in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Feast of Tabernacles so important to the Jews, and why did Jesus choose to go there despite the danger?**

Answer: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was profoundly important as one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals, mandating the presence of all Jewish males in Jerusalem ([Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - The Three Annual Feasts")). It held dual significance: commemorating God's miraculous provision and dwelling with Israel during their forty years in the wilderness, symbolized by living in temporary booths ([Leviticus 23:43](/leviticus/23-43 "Leviticus 23:43 - Dwelling in Booths")), and celebrating the autumn harvest as a time of thanksgiving. Its rituals, particularly the water-drawing ceremony and the lighting of the Temple menorahs, were deeply symbolic of God's past and future blessings. Jesus chose to go, despite the explicit danger mentioned in [John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea"), precisely because it was a public and highly symbolic occasion. His presence allowed Him to directly engage with the spiritual expectations and rituals of the feast, proclaiming Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of its themes – the true living water ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus' Offer of Living Water")) and the light of the world ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). His divine timing was essential to reveal His identity and challenge the religious authorities on their own sacred ground.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The mention of the "Feast of Tabernacles" in John 7:2 immediately sets the stage for Jesus' Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament types and shadows. This feast, commemorating God's dwelling among His people in temporary shelters during the wilderness wanderings, finds its ultimate reality in Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate, "tabernacling" among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as the feast celebrated God's provision of water and light in the desert, Jesus dramatically declares Himself to be the "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus' Offer of Living Water")) and the "light of the world" that dispels spiritual darkness ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). These declarations, made during the feast's pivotal ceremonies, reveal Him as the true and permanent "booth" or dwelling place of God, far surpassing the temporary structures of the past. Moreover, the Feast of Tabernacles was also a harvest festival, looking forward to a time of ingathering. In Christ, we see the ultimate spiritual harvest, as He gathers His people from every nation into God's eternal kingdom ([Matthew 9:37-38](/matthew/9-37-38 "Matthew 9:37-38 - The Harvest is Plentiful")). Thus, John 7:2 is not merely a historical marker but a profound theological signpost, pointing directly to Jesus as the embodiment and fulfillment of all that the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 14:16

¶ And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:19

This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Deuteronomy 16:13

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

Deuteronomy 16:16

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

Numbers 29:12

¶ And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:

Numbers 29:38

And one goat [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.

Exodus 23:16

And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, [which is] in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.