John 7:40

KJV

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing his words, some people in the crowd said, “Surely this man is ‘the prophet’”;

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”

American Standard Version

Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus' profound teachings in the Temple courts elicited a significant response from the crowds. Many of the people, deeply impacted by His words and the authority with which He spoke, concluded with conviction that He was "the Prophet" long awaited in Israelite tradition, a figure prophesied to be like Moses and to bring divine revelation. This recognition, though not yet a full understanding of His messianic identity, marked a crucial moment of popular affirmation amidst growing opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 7:40 follows Jesus' bold and controversial declarations during the Feast of Tabernacles. Specifically, it directly responds to His climactic invitation on the last day of the feast: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "Jesus' invitation to living water")). This "saying" (λόγος) was a profound claim to be the source of spiritual life, delivered in a highly symbolic setting. Prior to this, there had been debates about His origin and authority, and attempts to seize Him ([John 7:30](/john/7-30 "No one seized Jesus yet")). The verse also sets the stage for the intense division that immediately follows, as seen in [John 7:41-43](/john/7-41-43 "Division among the people over Jesus' origin"), where arguments erupt over whether He could truly be the Christ, given His Galilean origin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which was a time of great national celebration and messianic expectation. During this feast, a significant water-drawing ceremony was performed, symbolizing God's provision in the wilderness and the future outpouring of the Spirit. Jesus' proclamation about "living water" would have resonated powerfully with this ritual. The Jewish people eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Messiah, but also a great prophet, often referred to as "the Prophet" (Deuteronomy 18:15-18), who would be like Moses and bring new revelation. This expectation was deeply ingrained in their cultural and religious consciousness, making the crowd's identification of Jesus as "the Prophet" a significant affirmation rooted in their understanding of Old Testament prophecy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several key themes central to John's Gospel. Foremost is **Messianic Expectation**, as the crowd directly applies a significant prophetic title to Jesus, reflecting the widespread hope for a divinely sent deliverer. It also underscores the theme of **Jesus' Identity**, as He is increasingly revealed through His words and the responses of those who hear Him. The immediate and emphatic declaration, "Of a truth this is the Prophet," speaks to the **Power of Jesus' Words** to compel a response and reveal truth. Furthermore, while this verse shows a positive recognition, it also subtly introduces the theme of **Division Over Jesus**, as not everyone agreed with this assessment, leading to further debate about His true origin and nature, as seen in [John 7:41-43](/john/7-41-43 "Division over Jesus' origin") and echoing earlier recognition in [John 6:14](/john/6-14 "People recognize Jesus as the Prophet after feeding the five thousand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lógos (Greek, _lógos'_):** Translated as "saying" (G3056), this word refers to "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic... specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." In this context, it specifically points to Jesus' recent profound teachings and claims, particularly His invitation to "living water" in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "Jesus' invitation to living water"). The use of _lógos_ here encompasses not just the spoken words but the full weight of their meaning and the divine authority behind them.
* **alēthōs (Greek, _alēthōs'_):** Translated as "Of a truth" (G230), this adverb means "truly," "indeed," or "verily." Its inclusion emphasizes the certainty and conviction of the people's declaration. It suggests that their conclusion was not a casual remark but a firm, heartfelt belief based on what they had heard and observed. This adverb highlights the genuine nature of their recognition.
* **prophḗtēs (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** Translated as "the Prophet" (G4396), this term refers to "a foreteller ('prophet'); by analogy, an inspired speaker." The presence of the definite article "the" (ὁ) before "Prophet" is crucial, signifying not merely *a* prophet among many, but *the specific, long-anticipated Prophet* promised in the Old Testament, particularly in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Moses' prophecy of a coming Prophet") and [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "God's promise of the Prophet"). This title carried immense weight, associating Jesus with the unique authority and revelatory power of Moses, who was considered the quintessential prophet of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Many of the people therefore":** The Greek word for "many" (G4183, _polýs_) indicates a significant portion of the crowd, not just a few individuals, were affected by Jesus' words. The conjunction "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) logically connects their reaction to Jesus' preceding teachings and claims, particularly His invitation to "living water." This shows a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Jesus' discourse and the crowd's response.
* **"when they heard this saying":** "Heard" (G191, _akoúō_) implies not just auditory perception but also understanding and internalizing the message. "This saying" (G3056, _lógos_) refers collectively to Jesus' recent teachings and claims of divine authority, especially the profound invitation to come to Him for spiritual fulfillment in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "Jesus' invitation to living water"). The impact of His words was such that it compelled a definitive conclusion from the listeners.
* **"said, Of a truth this is the Prophet":** The verb "said" (G3004, _légō_) indicates a declared statement. The emphatic phrase "Of a truth" (G230, _alēthōs_) conveys their strong conviction and certainty. Their identification of Jesus as "the Prophet" (G4396, _prophḗtēs_), with the definite article, signifies their belief that He was the specific, eschatological prophet promised by God in the Old Testament, a figure expected to be like Moses and to bring new revelation. This was a significant, albeit incomplete, recognition of His unique identity.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:40 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and impact. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the crowd's recognition of Jesus as "the Prophet" hints at His greater, messianic identity. While they correctly identify Him as a divinely appointed revealer, this title, though significant, is a stepping stone to the full understanding of Him as the Christ, the Son of God. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the "many of the people," often dismissed by the religious elite, are the ones who discern a profound truth about Jesus, while many of the learned Pharisees and chief priests remain blind or hostile, as seen in the subsequent verses. This highlights the theme of spiritual discernment being granted to the humble rather than the proud. Furthermore, the verse serves as a moment of **Contrast**, presenting a unified, positive response to Jesus' teaching, which immediately precedes and sets up the intense division and disagreement that will characterize the remainder of the chapter and Jesus' ministry. The title "the Prophet" itself functions as a **Symbolism** for divine authority and revelation, connecting Jesus directly to the lineage of God's spokesmen in Israel's history, particularly Moses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration "Of a truth this is the Prophet" is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It reflects the deep-seated Jewish expectation of a prophet like Moses, promised in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Moses' prophecy of a coming Prophet"), who would deliver God's word with unparalleled authority. This recognition by the crowd indicates that Jesus' teachings and miraculous signs resonated with their understanding of divine revelation, positioning Him as a legitimate and powerful spokesperson for God. While "the Prophet" was not always synonymous with "the Messiah" in Jewish thought, it was often seen as a distinct, yet crucial, figure in the eschatological drama. The crowd's affirmation, though perhaps not fully grasping Jesus' divine sonship, correctly identified Him as the one through whom God was speaking in a unique and authoritative way, fulfilling ancient promises and setting the stage for the New Covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Moses' prophecy of a coming Prophet") - Moses foretells God raising up a Prophet from among their brethren.
* [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Peter identifies Jesus as the Prophet like Moses") - Peter explicitly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy in Deuteronomy 18.
* [John 1:21](/john/1-21 "John the Baptist asked if he was the Prophet") - John the Baptist is asked if he is "the Prophet," indicating the strong expectation of this figure among the Jewish people.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:40 serves as a powerful reminder that 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. We are invited to listen deeply to His "sayings" – His teachings, His claims of authority, His invitations to spiritual life – and to discern His true nature. The crowd's recognition of Jesus as "the Prophet" underscores the importance of weighing evidence, testing what we hear, and allowing the truth of God's Word to shape our understanding. Our response to Jesus' identity and teachings ultimately determines our spiritual direction. Are we willing to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment to a personal embrace of Him as the Christ, the Son of God? This verse challenges us to consider not just what we hear about Jesus, but how we respond to the living Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do Jesus' words, particularly His invitations and claims, challenge or affirm my current understanding of Him?**
* **What "sayings" of Jesus have I heard or read recently that require a deeper response or commitment from me?**
* **In what ways might I, like the crowd, be recognizing only a part of Jesus' identity, and how can I seek a more complete understanding of who He is?**

### FAQ

**Why did some people call Jesus "the Prophet" instead of "the Christ" or "the Messiah"?**

Answer: The title "the Prophet" (ὁ προφήτης) held a specific and significant meaning within Jewish eschatological expectations, distinct from, though sometimes related to, "the Christ" (Messiah). The expectation of "the Prophet" stemmed primarily from [Deuteronomy 18:15-18](/deuteronomy/18-15-18 "Moses' prophecy of a Prophet like him"), where Moses foretold that God would raise up a prophet like him. This figure was expected to be a powerful, authoritative spokesman for God, bringing new revelation. While the Messiah was often envisioned as a kingly figure who would deliver Israel politically, "the Prophet" was seen as a divine revealer. The crowd in [John 7:40](/john/7-40 "John 7:40 - The Prophet") recognized Jesus' profound teachings, His authoritative manner, and perhaps His miraculous signs as aligning with the characteristics of this promised prophet. It was a correct, though incomplete, recognition of His divine mission, leading to further debate about whether He was also the Christ, as seen in [John 7:41-42](/john/7-41-42 "Debate over Jesus' origin").

**What "saying" are the people referring to in this verse when they say, "when they heard this saying"?**

Answer: The "saying" (Greek: _lógos_) refers primarily to Jesus' climactic declaration on the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, recorded in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "Jesus' invitation to living water"): "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." This profound invitation, made in the context of the feast's water-drawing ceremonies, was a direct claim by Jesus to be the ultimate source of spiritual life and fulfillment. His words carried such authority and spiritual weight that they compelled many in the crowd to conclude that He was indeed the long-awaited Prophet.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The crowd's recognition of Jesus as "the Prophet" in [John 7:40](/john/7-40 "John 7:40 - The Prophet") points powerfully to His ultimate fulfillment as the Christ. While their understanding was initially limited to the prophetic office, Jesus embodies and transcends all Old Testament offices and expectations. He is not merely *a* prophet, but the very Word of God incarnate, the supreme and final revelation of God to humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word became flesh")). As the ultimate Prophet, He perfectly reveals the Father's will and truth, speaking with an authority that surpasses all who came before Him ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God has spoken through His Son")). Beyond His prophetic role, Jesus is also the High Priest who offers the perfect sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Jesus the Great High Priest")), and the King who reigns eternally over all creation ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). The crowd's partial recognition was a divinely orchestrated step towards the full revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, through whom eternal life is found ([John 20:31](/john/20-31 "Purpose of John's Gospel")).

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

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.