John 7:36

What [manner of] saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come?

What {G5101} manner of saying {G3056} is {G2076} this {G3778} that {G3739} he said {G2036}, Ye shall seek {G2212} me {G3165}, and {G2532} shall {G2147} not {G3756} find {G2147} me: and {G2532} where {G3699} I {G1473} am {G1510}, thither ye {G5210} cannot {G3756}{G1410} come {G2064}?

And when he says, ‘You will look for me and not find me; indeed, where I am, you cannot come’ — what does he mean?”

What does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”

What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?

Commentary on John 7:36

John 7:36 captures the perplexed reaction of the Jewish people and leaders to Jesus's profound and somewhat enigmatic statement about His impending departure and their inability to follow Him. This verse highlights a significant spiritual disconnect between Jesus's divine mission and the earthly expectations of His audience.

Context

This verse takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Jesus has been teaching openly in the temple, and there is much debate and division among the crowds regarding His identity as the Messiah. His words in John 7:34 – "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come" – deeply puzzle His listeners. They question whether He plans to leave Judea and go to the Dispersion among the Gentiles, or perhaps even take His own life, which would be a scandalous act for a prophet. Their confusion underscores their failure to grasp His divine origin and destination.

Key Themes

  • Misunderstanding of Jesus's Identity and Destination: The question posed in this verse reveals the crowd's limited, earthly understanding of Jesus. They are thinking in terms of physical location and human limitations, while Jesus is speaking of His spiritual return to the Father and the heavenly realm. They cannot comprehend His true nature as the Son of God or His ultimate destiny.
  • Consequences of Rejection: Jesus's warning, "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me," carries a sober implication. It suggests a future time when, perhaps in desperation or judgment, those who reject Him might seek Him, but it will be too late to find Him in a saving capacity. This speaks to the irreversible consequences of persistent unbelief, echoing similar warnings about missed opportunities for wisdom in Proverbs 1:28.
  • Spiritual Separation: The phrase "where I am, thither ye cannot come" emphasizes the profound spiritual chasm that exists between Jesus and those who refuse to believe in Him. This separation is not merely geographical but concerns ultimate destiny and spiritual fellowship. Those who remain in unbelief cannot enter into the spiritual kingdom of God or the eternal presence of Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "seek" (zēteō) implies a diligent or earnest search. Here, it suggests a future pursuit that will ultimately prove futile. The phrase "where I am" (hopou egō eimi) refers not just to a physical place but to Jesus's divine state of being, His intimate relationship with the Father, and ultimately, His heavenly dwelling. It signifies a realm that is inaccessible to those who are spiritually alienated from God.

Practical Application

John 7:36 serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of responding to Jesus Christ while there is still opportunity. It underscores that seeking Jesus must be accompanied by genuine faith and repentance, not just intellectual curiosity or a last-minute plea. For those who embrace Him, there is the incredible promise of being able to "come" to where He is, both spiritually in this life through fellowship and eternally in His presence, as described in passages like John 14:3. Conversely, it stands as a warning against the dangers of spiritual blindness and the dire consequences of rejecting the Savior.

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 3:9

    Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

  • John 7:34

    Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come.

  • John 12:34

    The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

  • John 6:41

    The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

  • John 16:17

    Then said [some] of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

  • John 16:18

    They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

  • John 6:52

    The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?

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