John 7:35

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?

Berean Standard Bible

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?

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 7:35 captures the Jewish authorities' cynical bewilderment regarding Jesus's mysterious claims about his origin and destination during the Feast of Tabernacles. Following Jesus's assertion that he would go where they could not follow, they sarcastically speculate if he intends to seek out and teach the scattered Jewish communities in Gentile lands, and even the Gentiles themselves, an ironic question that unwittingly foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger narrative in [John 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles") that details Jesus's presence and teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The immediate preceding verses (John 7:33-34) establish Jesus's cryptic statement about his impending departure to a place where his adversaries could not follow him. This declaration prompts the cynical speculation from "the Jews" (referring to the hostile religious leaders and those aligned with them, as seen in [John 7:32](/john/7-32 "John 7:32 - Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus")), who are increasingly frustrated by Jesus's elusive nature and profound teachings. Their misunderstanding highlights the spiritual blindness of those who reject him, setting the stage for further conflict and Jesus's subsequent teachings on the Holy Spirit in [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Living Water").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, drawing large crowds to Jerusalem. It was a time of national celebration, commemorating God's provision during the wilderness wandering and looking forward to the messianic age. "The Jews" in John's Gospel often refers to the religious establishment in Jerusalem—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and chief priests—who held significant power and were largely antagonistic towards Jesus. Their question about Jesus going to "the dispersed among the Gentiles" reflects the common Jewish understanding of the **Diaspora**, the vast communities of Jews living outside the land of Israel, particularly in the Hellenistic world. These Diaspora Jews, while still maintaining their Jewish identity, often adopted aspects of Greek culture and language. The idea of Jesus teaching "Gentiles" (non-Jews) would have been particularly scandalous or contemptible to these leaders, who viewed the Gentiles as outside the covenant and unclean, reinforcing their perceived lowliness of Jesus's mission if he were to resort to such an audience.
* **Key Themes:** [John 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles") is rich with themes that converge in this verse. **Misunderstanding and Spiritual Blindness** are prominent, as the Jewish leaders consistently fail to grasp Jesus's divine identity and mission, interpreting his spiritual claims through purely earthly lenses. Their sarcastic question in [John 7:35](/john/7-35 "John 7:35 - The Jews' Question") is a prime example of this, as they cannot conceive of Jesus's true destination (his return to the Father, as alluded to in [John 16:28](/john/16-28 "John 16:28 - Jesus's Return to the Father")). Paradoxically, their cynical query also introduces the theme of **Unwitting Prophecy and Gentile Inclusion**. In their scorn, they inadvertently speak a profound truth about the universal scope of the Gospel, foreshadowing the eventual expansion of God's kingdom beyond Israel to all nations, a theme that culminates in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") and the global spread of Christianity. This highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that even human opposition and misunderstanding cannot thwart God's overarching plan for salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dispersed (Greek, _diasporá'_):** From *diaspeírō*, meaning "dispersion." This term specifically refers to the Israelite communities living outside the land of Judah, scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. These were Jews who, while maintaining their identity, had settled among Gentile populations. The leaders' suggestion that Jesus would go to them implies a perceived lower status or desperation, as if he couldn't find followers among the "true" Jews in Jerusalem.
* **Gentiles (Greek, _Héllēn'_):** From *Hellás*, referring to a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas. By extension, it denotes a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew. In this context, it emphasizes the ultimate "outsiders" from the Jewish perspective, highlighting the leaders' disdain and sarcasm at the thought of Jesus ministering to those considered unclean or outside the covenant.
* **teach (Greek, _didáskō'_):** A prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb meaning "to learn." It signifies the act of instructing or imparting knowledge in a broad application. The leaders' use of this word in their sarcastic question underscores their belief that Jesus's teaching was unwelcome or ineffective among them, implying he would have to seek a less discerning audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the Jews among themselves,"**: This phrase sets the scene, indicating an internal discussion or cynical musing among the hostile Jewish authorities. It highlights their collective opposition and their inability to comprehend Jesus's true identity or purpose. The phrase "among themselves" (G1438 *heautoû* and G4314 *prós*) suggests a private, perhaps conspiratorial, conversation.
* **"Whither will he go, that we shall not find him?"**: This is a rhetorical question born of frustration and a desire to control or apprehend Jesus. They are perplexed by his mysterious statements about going to a place they cannot reach, failing to grasp the spiritual dimension of his departure (his ascension to the Father). The word "find" (G2147 *heurískō*) implies a search for apprehension or understanding, neither of which they are capable of.
* **"will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?"**: This is the core of their sarcastic query. They propose an absurd (to them) destination for Jesus, suggesting he would be reduced to ministering to the "Diaspora" Jews (G1290 *diasporá*) who lived outside Israel and had adopted Hellenistic customs, and even to outright "Gentiles" (G1672 *Héllēn*), whom they considered spiritually inferior. This question unwittingly foreshadows the universal mission of Christ, extending salvation beyond the confines of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in John 7:35 is **Irony**, specifically **Dramatic Irony**. The Jewish leaders, in their scorn and misunderstanding, unwittingly speak a profound truth about Jesus's mission. Their sarcastic suggestion that Jesus might go to "the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles" is intended as a derogatory dismissal, implying that only the lowest and least significant would receive his teaching if he could not gain traction in Jerusalem. However, this statement precisely foreshadows the global expansion of the Gospel, as Jesus's message indeed reaches the Jewish Diaspora and, crucially, the Gentiles, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and culminating in the Great Commission. This dramatic irony highlights the spiritual blindness of the religious authorities, who, despite their knowledge of the Law and Prophets, fail to recognize the Messiah and inadvertently prophesy the very scope of his redemptive work. The verse also employs a **Rhetorical Question**, "Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?", which, while posed as an inquiry, functions more as an expression of their exasperation and contempt, not genuinely seeking an answer but rather expressing their incredulity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:35 profoundly illustrates the tension between human limited understanding and divine expansive purpose. The Jewish leaders' sarcastic question, intended to demean Jesus, inadvertently reveals God's universal plan of salvation. While Jesus's earthly ministry was primarily focused on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus Sent to Israel")), the ultimate scope of his redemptive work was always intended to encompass all humanity, Jew and Gentile alike. This verse subtly introduces the theme of the Gospel's global reach, demonstrating that God's grace is not confined to any single ethnic or national group but extends to "whosoever believes" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). The leaders' inability to "find" Jesus also points to their spiritual inability to recognize his true identity and the nature of his kingdom, which transcends earthly boundaries and human expectations.

* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles")
* [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles")
* [Romans 11:11-12](/romans/11-11-12 "Romans 11:11-12 - Salvation for the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human logic, expectations, and even prejudices. The very people who sought to dismiss and discredit Jesus unwittingly became instruments through which a deeper truth about God's universal love was revealed. For us, this means recognizing that the Gospel message is not exclusive to any one group, culture, or social stratum. We are called to look beyond our own comfortable circles and preconceived notions about who is "worthy" or "receptive" to the good news. Just as Jesus's mission extended to the "dispersed" and "Gentiles," so too must our evangelistic efforts reach those on the margins, those considered "outsiders," and those who may seem least likely to respond. The Holy Spirit works in unexpected places and through unexpected means, often using the very words of opposition to highlight divine truth. Our task is to faithfully proclaim Christ, trusting that God's sovereign plan will draw people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation into His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my own life or community might I be unwittingly limiting God's reach or categorizing certain groups as "unreachable" or "unworthy" of the Gospel?**
* **How does the irony in this verse challenge my assumptions about how God works and who He chooses to reveal His truth to?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in extending the Gospel message beyond my current comfort zone, embracing those who are "dispersed" or "Gentile" in my context?**

### FAQ

**Who are "the Jews" referred to in this verse, and why are they speaking this way?**

Answer: In John's Gospel, "the Jews" often refers specifically to the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and chief priests—who were largely hostile to Jesus and sought to undermine his authority and ultimately arrest him. This is evident from passages like [John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea") and [John 7:32](/john/7-32 "John 7:32 - Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus"). Their question in [John 7:35](/john/7-35 "John 7:35 - The Jews' Question") is born out of frustration and sarcasm. Jesus had just stated that he would go where they could not follow him ([John 7:34](/john/7-34 "John 7:34 - Jesus's Mysterious Departure")), a claim they found baffling and arrogant. Their query is a cynical attempt to mock him, suggesting that if he couldn't find a following among the "respectable" Jews in Jerusalem, he would have to resort to teaching the less esteemed, scattered Jews in Gentile lands, or even the Gentiles themselves.

**What is the significance of the phrase "the dispersed among the Gentiles"?**

Answer: The phrase "the dispersed among the Gentiles" refers to the **Diaspora** (Greek: *diasporá*), which were Jewish communities living outside the geographical land of Israel. Following various exiles and migrations, large populations of Jews had settled throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, particularly in Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) cities like Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome. These Jews maintained their religious identity but often adopted Greek language and some cultural practices. From the perspective of the Jerusalem religious elite, these Diaspora Jews, and certainly the non-Jewish "Gentiles" (*Héllēn*), were considered less pure or less significant than the Jews living in Judea. The leaders' sarcastic question implies that Jesus would be relegated to ministering to those considered "outsiders" or less important, ironically foreshadowing the true universal scope of the Gospel message.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 7:35, though spoken in cynical jest by the Jewish authorities, serves as a remarkable prophetic utterance concerning the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Their scornful suggestion that Jesus would go "unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles" unwittingly points directly to the universal mission of the Messiah. Jesus himself affirmed that he came first for "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus Sent to Israel")), yet his ultimate purpose, as revealed in the New Testament, was always to be "a light to the Gentiles" ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles"), quoted in [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles")). This verse foreshadows the Great Commission, where the resurrected Christ commands his disciples to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). The very "dispersed" Jews and "Gentiles" whom the leaders disdained became the primary recipients of the Gospel after Pentecost, as seen in the missionary journeys of Paul and the expansion of the early church ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). Thus, the Christ-centered fulfillment of this verse lies in the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile through Christ's sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")), uniting all who believe into one new humanity under the headship of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world ([1 John 4:14](/1_john/4-14 "1 John 4:14 - Jesus, the Savior of the World")).

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

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.