John 7:23

If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

If {G1487} a man {G444} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521} receive {G2983} circumcision {G4061}, that {G3363} the law {G3551} of Moses {G3475} should {G3089} not {G3363} be broken {G3089}; are ye angry {G5520} at me {G1698}, because {G3754} I have made {G4160} a man {G444} every whit {G3650} whole {G5199} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521}?

If a boy is circumcised on Shabbat so that the Torah of Moshe will not be broken, why are you angry with me because I made a man’s whole body well on Shabbat?

If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?

If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?

In John 7:23, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders concerning His miraculous healing on the Sabbath day. This verse is part of a larger discourse during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, where Jesus’ actions and teachings are under intense scrutiny.

Context of John 7:23

Jesus is defending Himself against accusations from the Jewish authorities that He broke the Sabbath law by healing a man at the Pool of Bethesda (see John 5:16-18). His argument here is a logical appeal: if the Law of Moses permits circumcision on the Sabbath to maintain its integrity (as circumcision was required on the eighth day, even if it fell on the Sabbath, as outlined in Genesis 17:12 and Leviticus 12:3), why is it considered a sin for Him to perform a far greater act of mercy—making a man "every whit whole"? This highlights a fundamental clash between rigid legalism and divine compassion during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sabbath's True Purpose: Jesus challenges the prevailing, overly strict interpretation of the Sabbath. He implies that the Sabbath was made for man's good and for acts of mercy, not as an oppressive burden. This resonates with His teaching that "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27-28).
  • Divine Authority of Jesus: By equating His healing with the upholding of the Law, Jesus subtly asserts His authority over the Law itself and the Sabbath. He demonstrates that His actions are consistent with, and indeed fulfill, the spirit of God's commands.
  • Hypocrisy Exposed: The Jewish leaders' anger reveals their misplaced priorities. They condemn a life-giving miracle while upholding a ritualistic requirement, exposing a form of spiritual blindness and legalistic hypocrisy.
  • Compassion Over Ceremony: The verse underscores the biblical principle that God desires mercy over sacrifice, and genuine acts of compassion are more pleasing than mere adherence to external rituals (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "every whit whole" translates the Greek word holos (ὅλος), meaning "whole," "complete," or "entire." Jesus' healing was not partial but a full restoration, emphasizing the profound and comprehensive nature of His miracle. This contrasts sharply with the minor incision of circumcision, making His argument even more potent and highlighting the greater good of healing.

Practical Application

This passage encourages believers to examine their own priorities and interpretations of spiritual laws. Are we more concerned with outward appearances and rigid rules, or with genuine compassion, mercy, and the well-being of others? It reminds us that true faith seeks to bring wholeness and healing, reflecting the character of God. The example of Jesus teaches us to prioritize love and grace, especially when interacting with those in need, rather than being bound by legalistic traditions that miss the heart of God's law.

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 5:14

    Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

  • John 5:16

    And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

  • Matthew 12:5

    Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

  • Matthew 12:2

    But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

  • John 5:8

    Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

  • John 5:9

    And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

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