John 7:5

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

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

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

For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

For even his brethren did not believe on him.

Commentary

Context of John 7:5

John 7:5 is situated early in Jesus's final year of ministry, leading up to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Jesus is in Galilee, and His brothers urge Him to go to Judea to perform miracles publicly, believing that if He truly is the Messiah, He should make a grand public display. This verse highlights the deep skepticism and misunderstanding that even those closest to Jesus held regarding His true identity and mission at this point in His earthly life. Their counsel was not born of faith in His divine nature, but rather a desire for Him to prove Himself on their terms, perhaps even seeking a political or worldly Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of Belief: This verse underscores that mere proximity to Jesus, or even being part of His family, did not automatically confer faith. True belief requires more than observation; it involves spiritual understanding and acceptance of who He truly is.
  • Misunderstanding of Jesus's Mission: Jesus's brothers desired public spectacle and immediate recognition, contrasting sharply with Jesus's divine timing and spiritual purpose. They wanted Him to be a visible king, not a suffering servant.
  • Jesus's Humanity: The skepticism from His own family reminds us of Jesus's full humanity. He experienced the pain of rejection and misunderstanding even from those closest to Him, making His steadfast obedience all the more profound.
  • Progression of Faith: While His brothers did not believe at this point, the New Testament later shows their transformation. This contrasts sharply with their later inclusion among the believers after Christ's resurrection, as seen in Acts 1:14, and the prominent leadership role of James, His brother, in the early church (Galatians 1:19).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "brethren" is adelphoi (ἀδελφοί), which in this context refers to Jesus's half-brothers, the children of Joseph and Mary born after Jesus. This distinguishes them from disciples or followers in a spiritual sense. The phrase "did not believe in him" uses the Greek verb pisteuō (πιστεύω), which is central to John's Gospel. It signifies not just intellectual assent to facts about Jesus, but a deep, abiding trust and commitment to Him as Lord and Savior. Their lack of pisteuō meant they did not yet fully commit their lives to Him or recognize His divine authority.

Practical Application

John 7:5 offers several powerful applications for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that the journey of faith is personal and often challenging; we should not be discouraged if family members or close friends do not immediately embrace the gospel, as even Jesus's own family struggled. Secondly, it highlights the importance of understanding Jesus on His terms, not ours. True faith involves accepting His divine plan and timing, rather than dictating how He should act. Finally, this verse can offer comfort to those who face skepticism or opposition from loved ones, knowing that Jesus Himself experienced similar challenges and ultimately triumphed. It reinforces the truth that genuine belief is a work of God's Spirit, not merely human persuasion or familial ties.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
← Back