Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
Many {G4183} of {G1537} the people {G3793} therefore {G3767}, when they heard {G191} this saying {G3056}, said {G3004}, Of a truth {G230} this {G3778} is {G2076} the Prophet {G4396}.
On hearing his words, some people in the crowd said, “Surely this man is ‘the prophet’”;
On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”
Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.
-
Matthew 21:11
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. -
John 1:21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. -
John 6:14
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
The Gospel of John recounts Jesus' ministry, emphasizing His divine nature and profound teachings. John 7:40 captures a pivotal moment during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, where Jesus openly taught in the Temple courts.
Context
Leading up to this verse, Jesus had made powerful declarations about Himself, particularly in John 7:37-38, where He proclaimed, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." This bold statement, coming on the last great day of the feast, was a direct invitation to spiritual fulfillment. The "saying" mentioned in verse 40 refers to these profound teachings and His claims of divine authority, which resonated deeply with many of the people present.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The phrase "the Prophet" in the original Greek is ho prophētēs (ὁ προφήτης). The presence of the definite article "the" is crucial. It signifies not merely *a* prophet, but *the specific, long-anticipated Prophet* promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. This title carried immense weight, associating Jesus with the unique authority and revelatory power of Moses himself, who was considered the quintessential prophet of Israel.
Practical Application
John 7:40 serves as a timeless reminder of how Jesus' words compel a response. Just as the people in Jerusalem were forced to grapple with His identity and claims, so too are individuals today. Are we willing to listen to His "sayings" and discern His true nature? The crowd's recognition of Jesus as "the Prophet" underscores the importance of weighing evidence and allowing the truth of God's Word to shape our understanding. Our response to Jesus' identity and teachings ultimately determines our spiritual direction, inviting us to either embrace Him as the Christ or to remain in skepticism, as some of the religious leaders did (John 7:47-48).