John 7:5

KJV

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} neither {G3761} did {G4100} his {G846} brethren {G80} believe {G4100} in {G1519} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(His brothers spoke this way because they had not put their trust in him.)

Berean Standard Bible

For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

American Standard Version

For even his brethren did not believe on him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 7:5 reveals a poignant moment in Jesus's earthly ministry where even His own half-brothers did not yet believe in Him. This verse serves as a stark reminder that physical proximity or familial relationship to Jesus does not automatically equate to spiritual faith. Their unbelief highlights a profound misunderstanding of His true identity and divine mission, as they sought a worldly display of power rather than recognizing His spiritual authority and the unique timing of His Father's plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 7:5 is embedded within a passage (John 7:1-13) that sets the stage for Jesus's journey to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Following His ministry in Galilee, His brothers urge Him to go to Judea and perform miracles publicly, suggesting that if He truly is the Messiah, He should not remain hidden. Their challenge in [John 7:3-4](/john/7-3-4 "John 7:3-4 - Brothers' Challenge to Jesus") reveals a desire for public spectacle and recognition, a stark contrast to Jesus's declaration in [John 7:6](/john/7-6 "John 7:6 - Jesus's Divine Timing") that "My time has not yet come." This immediate context underscores the tension between worldly expectations and divine timing, and the profound spiritual disconnect even among those closest to Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals where all Jewish males were expected to travel to Jerusalem. It was a joyous celebration commemorating God's provision during the wilderness wandering and looking forward to the Messianic age. During this period, Messianic fervor was often high, with many looking for a political or military leader to liberate Israel from Roman rule. Jesus's brothers, steeped in this cultural expectation, likely envisioned a Messiah who would openly declare Himself and seize power, aligning with popular sentiment rather than understanding the spiritual nature of His kingdom. The concept of "brothers" (ἀδελφοί) in this context refers to Jesus's half-brothers, born to Joseph and Mary after Jesus, distinguishing them from His disciples or spiritual followers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **belief and unbelief**, demonstrating that faith is not inherited or automatic, but a personal spiritual reception of Jesus. It highlights the pervasive **misunderstanding of Jesus's identity and mission**, as many, including His own family, struggled to grasp that He was not a worldly king but the Son of God with a spiritual purpose, as articulated in [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus's Kingdom Is Not of This World"). The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **divine timing**, contrasting the brothers' impatience with Jesus's adherence to His Father's perfect schedule, a concept Jesus emphasizes throughout the Gospel, such as in [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus's Timing at Cana"). Finally, it underscores Jesus's **full humanity**, showing that He experienced the pain of rejection and skepticism even from His closest family members, a suffering that foreshadows His ultimate rejection by the world, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **neither (Greek, _oudé'_):** This particle, derived from *ou* (not) and *de* (however), emphasizes a strong negation. It conveys "not even" or "not so much as," highlighting the surprising and complete lack of belief among Jesus's brothers. It underscores the depth of their skepticism, implying that despite their unique proximity to Him, they were entirely devoid of faith in His divine claims at this point.
* **brethren (Greek, _adelphós'_):** This term refers to Jesus's half-brothers, the biological children of Joseph and Mary born after Jesus. Its use here distinguishes them from His disciples and emphasizes the human, familial context of their unbelief. The word itself, from a connective particle and a root meaning "womb," literally implies sharing the same womb, reinforcing the close family tie.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** Central to John's Gospel, this verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent to facts about Jesus. As defined, it means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." Their lack of *pisteúō* means they had not yet committed their spiritual well-being to Him, nor did they recognize His divine authority or truly trust in His identity as the Son of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For neither did his brethren":** This opening phrase, linked by the explanatory particle "For" (G1063, *gár*), provides the reason for Jesus's reluctance to go to Judea publicly as urged by His brothers. The strong negative "neither" emphasizes the complete absence of belief among them, highlighting the profound irony that those closest in family ties were furthest in spiritual understanding. It sets a somber tone, revealing the personal challenge Jesus faced even within His own household.
* **"believe in him.":** This concluding clause specifies the nature of their unbelief. It was not merely a disagreement about tactics or timing, but a fundamental lack of faith in Jesus's person and claims. The preposition "in" (G1519, *eis*) with "believe" (G4100, *pisteúō*) denotes a deep, abiding trust and commitment, a spiritual reliance upon Him. Their failure to "believe in him" meant they had not yet recognized Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, or the one to whom they should entrust their spiritual destiny.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:5 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Irony** is prominent, as those who should have been most convinced by Jesus's life and miracles—His own family—are presented as unbelievers. This stark contrast highlights the spiritual blindness that can exist even in the closest proximity to divine truth. The verse also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the broader rejection Jesus would face from the world and even from many within Israel, despite His miraculous works and clear teachings. Furthermore, there is a powerful **contrast** drawn between the brothers' worldly, pragmatic view of the Messiah (seeking public display and political power) and Jesus's divine, spiritual mission, which was unfolding according to God's perfect timing and purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:5 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of true faith. It underscores that belief in Jesus is not a matter of familial inheritance, social standing, or mere intellectual assent to facts, but a spiritual revelation and personal commitment. The unbelief of Jesus's brothers highlights the pervasive human tendency to misunderstand God's ways and to seek a Messiah who fits human expectations rather than God's divine plan. This verse also implicitly affirms Jesus's full humanity, as He experienced the pain and isolation of being misunderstood and rejected by those closest to Him, yet remained steadfast in His obedience to the Father. Ultimately, it points to the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in opening hearts to faith, a work that would eventually transform His brothers into ardent followers.

* [Mark 3:21](/mark/3-21 "Mark 3:21 - Jesus's Family Thought He Was Out of His Mind")
* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own and His Own Did Not Receive Him")
* [Acts 1:14](/acts/1-14 "Acts 1:14 - Jesus's Brothers Among the Believers After the Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:5 offers profound insights for our own walk of faith. It reminds us that the journey of belief is deeply personal and often challenging, even for those who grow up in Christian homes or are close to spiritual leaders. We should not be discouraged if our loved ones, despite our best efforts and prayers, do not immediately embrace the gospel or understand our faith. Just as Jesus experienced the pain of rejection from His own family, we too may face skepticism or opposition from those closest to us. This verse calls us to examine the nature of our own faith: do we truly believe "in Him," entrusting our spiritual well-being to Christ and accepting His divine plan and timing, or do we, like His brothers, try to dictate how He should act or demand a faith that conforms to our worldly expectations? True faith involves surrendering our agenda to His, trusting in His wisdom and timing, even when it seems counterintuitive or slow to the world. It encourages perseverance in prayer for those who do not yet believe, knowing that God's Spirit can transform even the most hardened hearts, as He eventually did for Jesus's brothers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unbelief of Jesus's brothers challenge my assumptions about who should believe in Christ?**
* **In what ways might I, like Jesus's brothers, be tempted to try and dictate God's timing or methods rather than trusting His sovereign plan?**
* **How can I maintain compassion and perseverance in prayer for loved ones who do not yet believe, drawing strength from Jesus's own experience?**
* **What does "believe in him" truly mean for my own life, beyond mere intellectual assent, and how is that reflected in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus's brothers not believe in Him at this point?**
Answer: At this stage in Jesus's ministry, His brothers, like many others, likely held a nationalistic and worldly view of the Messiah. They expected a political leader who would openly declare himself and liberate Israel from Roman rule, perhaps even perform grand public miracles to prove his authority. Their challenge in [John 7:3-4](/john/7-3-4 "John 7:3-4 - Brothers' Challenge to Jesus") suggests they wanted Jesus to make a spectacular display in Judea, not to continue a quieter, spiritual ministry in Galilee. They failed to grasp His divine identity as the Son of God and the spiritual nature of His kingdom, which was not "of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus's Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Their unbelief stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of His mission and a desire for Him to conform to their human expectations.

**Did Jesus's brothers ever come to believe in Him?**
Answer: Yes, absolutely. While John 7:5 records their unbelief, the New Testament clearly indicates a dramatic transformation in Jesus's brothers after His resurrection. [Acts 1:14](/acts/1-14 "Acts 1:14 - Jesus's Brothers Among the Disciples") lists them among the disciples gathered in the upper room after Jesus's ascension, devoted to prayer with the apostles and Mary. Furthermore, James, Jesus's half-brother, became a prominent leader in the early church in Jerusalem, often referred to as "the Lord's brother" ([Galatians 1:19](/galatians/1-19 "Galatians 1:19 - James, the Lord's Brother")). He also authored the New Testament book of James. This remarkable change underscores the transformative power of Jesus's resurrection and the Holy Spirit, which led them from skepticism to fervent faith and leadership.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The unbelief of Jesus's brothers in [John 7:5](/john/7-5 "John 7:5 - Jesus's Brothers Did Not Believe") serves as a poignant illustration of the broader theme of Christ's rejection by His own people, a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament and culminating in His crucifixion. Yet, this rejection, even from His closest family, was part of God's sovereign plan to bring about salvation. Jesus, the true Son of God, willingly endured misunderstanding and unbelief, fulfilling prophecies of the suffering servant who would be "despised and rejected by mankind" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). His steadfast obedience in the face of such personal pain highlights His perfect humanity and unwavering commitment to His divine mission. Ultimately, the transformation of His brothers, particularly James, who later became a pillar of the early church ([Galatians 2:9](/galatians/2-9 "Galatians 2:9 - James, Cephas, and John as Pillars")), stands as a powerful testimony to the resurrection and the redemptive power of Christ. Their eventual belief, born of encountering the risen Lord ([1 Corinthians 15:7](/1_corinthians/15-7 "1 Corinthians 15:7 - Jesus Appeared to James")), foreshadows the universal call to faith in Christ, demonstrating that true belief is a gift of God's grace, accessible to all who come to Him, regardless of their past skepticism or familial ties.

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

Mark 3:21

And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

John 1:11

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 1:13

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 7:10

But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Micah 7:6

For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies [are] the men of his own house.

John 7:3

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.