John 7:35

Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

Then {G3767} said {G2036} the Jews {G2453} among {G4314} themselves {G1438}, Whither {G4226} will {G3195} he {G3778} go {G4198}, that {G3754} we {G2249} shall {G2147} not {G3756} find {G2147} him {G846}? will {G3361}{G3195} he go {G4198} unto {G1519} the dispersed {G1290} among the Gentiles {G1672}, and {G2532} teach {G1321} the Gentiles {G1672}?

The Judeans said to themselves, “Where is this man about to go, that we won’t find him? Does he intend to go to the Greek Diaspora and teach the Greek-speaking Jews?

At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

This verse captures the bewilderment and veiled sarcasm of the Jewish religious leaders concerning Jesus's identity and whereabouts during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Having just heard Jesus speak cryptically about going somewhere they could not follow, they ponder his possible destination.

Context

The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant pilgrimage festival. "The Jews" in this context refers primarily to the hostile Jewish authorities and Pharisees who were actively seeking to arrest or discredit Jesus (see John 7:32). They are baffled by Jesus's profound teachings and his mysterious claims about his origin and destiny. Their question in verse 35 is a cynical one, following Jesus's statement in John 7:34 that He would go where they could not come.

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding and Ignorance: The leaders are utterly perplexed by Jesus. They cannot comprehend his divine nature or his true mission. Their question is born of frustration and a lack of spiritual discernment, failing to grasp that Jesus's departure would be His return to the Father (John 16:28).
  • Unwitting Prophecy of Gentile Inclusion: Ironically, in their sarcastic suggestion that Jesus might go "unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles," they inadvertently speak a profound truth. Jesus's mission, though first to Israel, ultimately extends to all nations, foreshadowing the Great Commission and the global spread of the Gospel.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Despite human plotting and misunderstanding, God's plan for salvation for all humanity was unfolding precisely as intended through Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the dispersed among the Gentiles" refers to the Diaspora, which were Jewish communities living outside the land of Israel, scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. These were Jews who had adopted Hellenistic (Greek) culture to varying degrees. The term "Gentiles" (Greek: Hellēnes or ethnē) specifically refers to non-Jewish people. The leaders' question implies that if Jesus couldn't find followers among "respectable" Jews in Jerusalem, he would have to resort to teaching those less esteemed—the Hellenized Jews and outright Gentiles.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's plans often transcend human expectations and prejudices. What might be said in scorn can sometimes reveal a deeper truth about God's universal love and salvation plan. The Gospel message was never intended to be confined to one group or nation but is for "whosoever believes" (John 3:16), including those we might consider "outsiders." It encourages us to look beyond our own cultural or social boundaries when sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

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.

  • James 1:1

    ¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

  • Isaiah 11:12

    And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

  • Zephaniah 3:10

    From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, [even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

  • 1 Peter 1:1

    ¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

  • John 12:20

    ¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

  • Isaiah 27:12

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

  • Isaiah 27:13

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

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