John 7:8

KJV

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go {G305} ye {G5210} up {G305} unto {G1519} this {G5026} feast {G1859}: I {G1473} go {G305} not {G3768} up {G305} yet {G3768} unto {G1519} this {G5026} feast {G1859}; for {G3754} my {G1699} time {G2540} is {G4137} not yet {G3768} full come {G4137}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You, go on up to the festival; as for me, I am not going up to this festival now, because the right time for me has not yet come.”

Berean Standard Bible

Go up to the feast on your own. I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet come.”

American Standard Version

Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[John 7:8](/john/7-8) captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry where He responds to His unbelieving brothers' urging to attend the Feast of Tabernacles. His declaration, "I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come," reveals profound insights into His unique relationship with the Father's will, His divine timing, and the strategic wisdom guiding His actions, setting Him apart from worldly expectations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a period of escalating tension and growing opposition to Jesus, particularly in Judea. His biological brothers, who are explicitly stated to "not yet believe in him" ([John 7:5](/john/7-5 "John 7:5 - Jesus' Brothers' Unbelief")), challenge Him to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, urging Him to display His works openly to gain recognition. Their motivation appears to be a worldly desire for fame or proof, rather than genuine faith. Jesus' response here sets the stage for His eventual, strategic, and "secret" ascent to the feast, as described in [John 7:10](/john/7-10 "John 7:10 - Jesus Goes to the Feast Secretly"), highlighting His deliberate control over the timing and manner of His public appearances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals, requiring all Jewish males to travel to Jerusalem. It was a joyous harvest festival commemorating God's provision for Israel during their forty years of wilderness wandering, living in temporary shelters (tabernacles or booths), and also looked forward to the Messianic age when God would "tabernacle" among His people. Attending this feast was a significant act of religious devotion. Jerusalem, especially during such festivals, was a highly charged environment, a focal point for religious fervor, political unrest, and Messianic expectations, making Jesus' public movements particularly sensitive.
* **Key Themes:** This exchange underscores several critical themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Timing and Sovereignty**, where Jesus consistently operates according to the Father's perfect, appointed schedule, often referred to as "My hour" or "My time" ([John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus' Hour at Cana"); [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come")). His statement "my time is not yet full come" emphasizes that His actions are not dictated by human pressure or expectation, but by a divine `kairos` (opportune time), distinct from mere chronological time (`chronos`). Secondly, **Strategic Wisdom** is evident in Jesus' decision to delay and alter His mode of travel, demonstrating His prudence in avoiding premature confrontation or misunderstanding that could jeopardize His ultimate mission. Lastly, there is a stark **Contrast with Unbelief**, as His brothers' worldly ambition for Him to seek public acclaim highlights their lack of spiritual discernment regarding His true spiritual kingdom and purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **I (Greek, _egō'_):** G1473. This is a primary pronoun of the first person, "I," used emphatically. In this context, Jesus' use of "I" underscores His unique authority and singular understanding of the Father's will, contrasting sharply with the worldly perspectives of His brothers. It highlights His sovereign agency in His mission.
* **time (Greek, _kairós'_):** G2540. This word refers to an occasion, a set or proper time, an opportune season. It is distinct from `chronos`, which denotes general chronological time. Jesus' use of `kairós` here emphasizes that His movements and actions are governed by God's divinely appointed, strategic moments, not by human schedules, pressures, or the natural progression of events. His "time" is a specific, predestined season for the fulfillment of His mission.
* **not yet (Greek, _oúpō'_):** G3768. This adverbial phrase means "not yet" or "hitherto not." Its inclusion is crucial for understanding Jesus' statement. It signifies a delay or a postponement, not an absolute refusal. This nuance explains why Jesus later did go to the feast, albeit "not openly, but as it were in secret" ([John 7:10](/john/7-10 "John 7:10 - Jesus Goes to the Feast Secretly")). It points to His strategic control over the timing and manner of His public appearances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go ye up unto this feast":** This is the counsel of Jesus' brothers, reflecting their desire for Him to gain public recognition and perhaps to prove His claims through open displays of power in Jerusalem. Their advice stems from a worldly understanding of Messianic expectation and a lack of belief in His divine nature.
* **"I go not up yet unto this feast":** Jesus' initial refusal is a direct counter to His brothers' urging. The inclusion of "yet" is critical, indicating a postponement rather than a definitive rejection of attending the feast. This statement reveals His independent will and His adherence to a divine schedule, not human expectations.
* **"for my time is not yet full come":** This clause provides the divine rationale for Jesus' decision. His "time" (kairos) refers to the opportune, divinely appointed moment for His public manifestation and, ultimately, for His passion and glorification. It signifies that His actions are perfectly aligned with the Father's will and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which has not yet reached its appointed climax.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** to highlight the spiritual chasm between Jesus and His brothers. Their worldly ambition for Him to seek public fame stands in stark opposition to Jesus' submission to the Father's divine timing and strategic wisdom. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' repeated references to "My time" or "My hour" throughout John's Gospel build anticipation for the climactic moment of His crucifixion and resurrection, which is the ultimate "time" for His glorification. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: Jesus' unbelieving brothers unwittingly prompt a declaration from Him that underscores His divine authority and unique relationship with God, even as they fail to grasp its spiritual depth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:8 is a profound theological statement on the sovereignty of God and the unique relationship between the Son and the Father. Jesus' unwavering commitment to the Father's `kairos` demonstrates His perfect obedience and trust, serving as a model for all believers. It underscores that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect timing, not human impatience or worldly pressures. This verse also highlights the strategic wisdom inherent in God's redemptive plan, where every event, including Jesus' public appearances and ultimate sacrifice, occurs at the divinely appointed moment for maximum impact and fulfillment of prophecy. It reminds us that true spiritual success is not measured by immediate public acclaim but by faithful adherence to God's will.

* [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus' Hour at Cana")
* [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come")
* [John 13:1](/john/13-1 "John 13:1 - Jesus' Hour to Depart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:8 offers a powerful lesson in trusting God's perfect timing in our own lives. In a world that often pressures us for immediate results and public validation, Jesus' example calls us to a deeper patience and discernment. Just as He did not rush ahead of His Father's schedule, we are encouraged to wait for God's appointed moments, understanding that true wisdom often involves pausing, praying, and discerning the `kairos` for our actions. This verse challenges us to resist the temptation to act out of worldly ambition or fear of missing out, and instead to align our desires and plans with God's sovereign will, even when it means delaying or altering our approach. It reminds us that God's timing is always perfect, and His plans are always for our ultimate good and His greater glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' reliance on divine timing challenge my own tendency to rush or force outcomes in my life?**
* **What "worldly pressures" (like the brothers' urging) do I face that tempt me to act outside of God's discerned timing?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of patience and trust in God's `kairos` for my personal circumstances and ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus say "I go not up yet" and then go to the feast later?**

Answer: Jesus' statement "I go not up yet unto this feast" (John 7:8) should be understood as a strategic delay and a change in the manner of His attendance, rather than an absolute refusal. The Greek word translated "yet" (_oúpō_) is crucial here, indicating that His time for an open, public appearance at the feast had not `full come` (G4137, _plēróō_). He was not refusing to go entirely, but rather refusing to go in the manner His brothers suggested – openly and for public display. Instead, [John 7:10](/john/7-10 "John 7:10 - Jesus Goes to the Feast Secretly") tells us that He later went "not openly, but as it were in secret." This strategic wisdom allowed Him to avoid premature confrontation with the Jewish authorities, who were already seeking to kill Him ([John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea")). His actions were always governed by the Father's perfect `kairos` (opportune time), ensuring His ministry unfolded according to the divine plan, culminating in His "hour" of glorification.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus' declaration in [John 7:8](/john/7-8 "John 7:8 - Jesus' Divine Timing") that "my time is not yet full come" is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing His perfect alignment with the Father's will and His role as the divinely appointed Messiah. This "time" refers not merely to a chronological schedule, but to the opportune `kairos` for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice and glorification. Jesus is the One whose entire life and ministry are perfectly orchestrated by God, ensuring that every prophecy is fulfilled and every redemptive purpose is accomplished precisely at the appointed moment. He is the Lamb of God whose sacrifice was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" ([1_peter/1-20](/1_peter/1-20 "1 Peter 1:20 - Foreordained Lamb")) and who came "in the fullness of the time" ([galatians/4-4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")) to redeem humanity. His perfect timing, culminating in His death and resurrection, ensures that salvation is made available to all who believe, demonstrating that He is indeed the Christ, whose mission was perfectly executed according to the Father's sovereign plan, bringing about the "acceptable time" and "day of salvation" ([2_corinthians/6-2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - The Acceptable Time")).

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

John 7:6

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

John 8:20

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

John 7:30

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

John 11:6

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

John 11:7

Then after that saith he to [his] disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.