His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
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John 7:3-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
Parallel Translations
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His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.
For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.”
For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
-
His brethren therfore sayde vnto him: get ye hence and go into Iewry that thy disciples maye se thy workes that thou doest.
For ther is no man that doeth eny thing secretly and he him selfe seketh to be knowen. Yf thou do soche thinges shewe thy selfe to the worlde.
For as yet his brethren beleved not in him.
Show all 3 translations
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His brethren therefore sayde vnto him, Depart hence, and goe into Iudea, that thy disciples may see thy woorkes that thou doest.
For there is no man that doeth any thing secretely, and hee himselfe seeketh to be famous. If thou doest these things, shewe thy selfe to the worlde.
For as yet his brethren beleeued not in him.
Cross-references (26)
- Mark 3:21 (v5) When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.”
- John 18:20 (v4) Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said…
- Proverbs 18:1-2 (v4) A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in…
- Matthew 12:46 (v3) While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
- John 1:11-13 (v5) He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s…
Show all 25 cross-references
- John 7:5 (v3) For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
- Matthew 6:5 (v4) “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,…
- Matthew 23:5 (v4) But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,
- Luke 6:45 (v4) The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart…
- John 7:10 (vv3, 5) But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
- Micah 7:5-6 (v5) Don’t trust in a neighbor. Don’t put confidence in a friend. With the woman lying in your embrace, be careful of the words of your mouth!…
- Matthew 6:1-2 (v4) “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in…
- John 7:3 (v5) His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.
- Genesis 37:5-11 (v3) Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Please hear this dream which I…
- Genesis 37:20 (v3) Come now therefore, and let’s kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, ‘An evil animal has devoured him.’ We will see…
- 1 Samuel 17:28 (v3) Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With…
- 1 Kings 22:13 (v4) The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “See now, the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Please let…
- Jeremiah 12:6 (v3) For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you! Even they have cried aloud after you!…
- Matthew 4:6 (v4) and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and, ‘On…
- Matthew 6:16 (v4) “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be…
- Matthew 22:16-17 (v3) They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in…
- Mark 3:31 (v3) His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
- Luke 8:19 (v3) His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.
- Acts 2:14 (v3) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem,…
- Acts 2:4-12 (v4) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Now there…
25 distinct cross-references across this passage (26 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. His brethren therefore said to him. Under the…
3. His brethren therefore said to him. Under the word brethren the Hebrews include all cousins and other relations, whatever may be the degree of affinity. He says that they mocked at Christ, because he shunned to be seen or known, and concealed himself in a mean and despised district of Judea. There is reason to doubt, however, if they were excited by ambition to desire that Christ should obtain celebrity. But granting this, still it is evident that they ridicule him, because they do not think that his conduct is rational and judicious; and they even upbraid him with folly, because, while he wishes to be something, he wants confidence in himself, and does not venture to appear openly before men. When they say, that thy disciples also may see, they mean not only his domestics, but all those whom he wished to procure out of the whole nation; for they add, “Thou wishest to be known by all, and yet thou concealest thyself.”
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 The grace of God cometh not by inheritance, but…
The grace of God cometh not by inheritance, but it is a gift that cometh other ways, whereby it cometh to pass, that oftentimes the children of God suffer more affliction by their own kinsfolk than by strangers.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence,…
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
Ver. 3. Depart hence] Saucily enough, and sarcastically too; pricked on by ambition, likely, which ever rideth without reins, and cares not whose ruins it buildeth upon.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–5 His brethren; his friends and kindred; See Poole on…
His brethren; his friends and kindred; See Poole on "Mat 12:47". See Poole on "Mat 12:48"; either such as did believe in him, or such as did not believe; for, Joh 7:5, all of them did not believe in him; would have him leave Galilee, which was the far more obscure and ignoble part of the country, and go into Judea, which was the more noble and famous province; that those who in that province followed him, might also see the miracles which he wrought.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v3 Observe here, 1. The advice which Christ’s brethren, that…
Observe here, 1. The advice which Christ’s brethren, that is, his kindness, gave him to render himself more famous and publicly known to the world: they advise him not to stay any longer in Galilee, an obscure place, but to go into the more noble and populous country of Judea, and work miracles there. But what high presumption was this in creatures to prescribe to Christ, and direct him whither to go, and what to do?
Observe, 2. The reason they offer for their advice; For no man that seeketh to be known openly, will do any thing in secret: that is, "If thou wilt be thought to be the Messias by thy working miracles, do them not in a corner; but up to Jerusalem with us at this next feast, that the great men may take notice of them." Such as hunt after reputation themselves, and are ambitious of vain-glory and commendation from men, measure others, even the most holy and religious, by their own inclinations and dispositions: and wonder that others do not follow their measures for gaining reputation and respect.
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Thus did our Lord’s brethren here: but the wonder ceases, if we consider the following words; Neither did his brethren believe in him. It is no new thing for the holiest servants of God to meet with great trials from their graceless friends. Christ met with this before us: his kindred, according to the flesh, not believing in him, were a sore trial and temptation to him. Some martyrs have confessed, that the hardest works they have met withal, have been to withstand the temptations, the tears, and entreaties, of their dearest and nearest relations.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 That is, the brethren of Jesus, as the Syriac…
That is, the brethren of Jesus, as the Syriac and Persic versions express it; who were not James and Joses, and Simon and Judas, the sons of Alphaeus, the brother of Joseph, the husband of Mary, so called, Mat 13:55, for some of these were of the number of the twelve; and all of them believers in Christ; whereas these his brethren were not. The Jew (l) therefore is mistaken, who supposed the above persons are here intended; and objects this their unbelief to Jesus, as if they knew him too well to give him any credit; whereas they did believe in him, and abode by him to the last; and some of them, if not all, suffered death for his sake. They therefore are to be understood of some distant relations of Mary or Joseph, that dwelt at Nazareth, or Capernaum, or in some of those parts; and the feast of tabernacles being at hand, they put him upon going up to it, being willing to be rid of him: saying,
depart hence: which is the language of carnal men, who desire not the company of Christ, nor the knowledge of his ways; and like the Gergesenes, who preferred their swine to Christ, and desired him to depart out of their coasts:
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and go into Judea; among his most inveterate enemies, who sought to take away his life; and which doubtless they knew; which showed a quite different regard to him, from that of his true disciples, Joh 11:7, for which they give some plausible reasons:
that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest: meaning not his twelve disciples, who were now with him, but the disciples he had made, and baptized in Judea, Joh 4:1. Or his disciples in the several parts of the land, who would all be at Jerusalem, at the feast of tabernacles; and so, should he go, would have an opportunity of seeing his miracles, and thereby be the more confirmed in the faith of him,
(l) R. Isaac Chizzuk Emuna, par. 2. c. 45. p. 434, 435.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv3–4 His brethren -- so called according to the Jewish…
His brethren -- so called according to the Jewish way of speaking. They were his cousins, the sons of his mother's sister. Depart hence - From this obscure place.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Verse 3. His brethren - said] It is generally…
Verse 3. His brethren - said] It is generally supposed that these were the children of the sisters of his mother Mary; but some of the ancients have stated that Joseph had several children by a former wife. See the account of the evangelist prefixed to this Gospel. No solid proof can be alleged against this; nor can we pretend to say that these were not the children of Joseph and Mary. Our blessed Lord, it is true, was her first born, while she was yet a virgin; but no man can prove that he was her last. It is an article of faith, in the Popish Church, to believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary; and in this respect, without any reason, several Protestants seem to be Papists. However this may be, it is certain that the Hebrews gave the name of brethren to all the relatives of a particular family. See Ge 31:32; Ge 31:46.
That thy disciples also may see] That is, the disciples which he had made two years and six months before, at the Passover: Joh 2:23.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3–4 His brethren - See the notes at Mat 12:47.
His brethren - See the notes at Mat 12:47.
Thy disciples - The disciples which he had made when he was before in Judea, Joh 4:1-3.
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The works - The miracles.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 These brethren of Christ were the relatives of the…
These brethren of Christ were the relatives of the blessed Virgin, not her children. For, as in the sepuchre, were the body of our Saviour was deposited, no other mortal lay either before or since; so neither did the womb of Mary ever either before or after bear any other body but that of her divine Son. (St. Augustine, tract. 28. in Joan.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v3 His brethren said--(See on Mat 13:54-56).
His brethren said--(See on Mat 13:54-56).
Depart . . . into Judea, &c.--In Joh 7:5 this speech is ascribed to their unbelief. But as they were in the "upper room" among the one hundred and twenty disciples who waited for the descent of the Spirit after the Lord's ascension (Act 1:14), they seem to have had their prejudices removed, perhaps after His resurrection. Indeed here their language is more that of strong prejudice and suspicion (such as near relatives, even the best, too frequently show in such cases), than from unbelief. There was also, probably, a tincture of vanity in it. "Thou hast many disciples in Judea; here in Galilee they are fast dropping off; it is not like one who advances the claims Thou dost to linger so long here, away from the city of our solemnities, where surely 'the kingdom of our father David' is to be set up: 'seeking,' as Thou dost, 'to be known openly,' those miracles of Thine ought not to be confined to this distant corner, but submitted at headquarters to the inspection of 'the world.'" (See Psa 69:8, "I am become a stranger to my brethren, an alien unto my mother's children!")
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. His brethren—His brothers. That these were the sons…
3. His brethren—His brothers. That these were the sons of Joseph and Mary would scarcely have been questioned but for doctrinal reasons. See note on Mat_10:3; Mat_13:55. Their names were James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. As Jesus was the eldest, and but slightly over thirty, these must have been in their green young manhood. This must account for their ambitious half-belief and half-disbelief of the Messiahship of Jesus. They believed a miraculous basis for success to be in him if he will only show it out to the world; but he does not realize their idea of a divine, warlike, hero Messiah. After the sad yet wonderful events of the crucifixion and resurrection these brothers believed! They consented to accept as Messiah a Saviour of the world, instead of a Liberator of the Jews. This very James became “James the Just,” the author of the Epistle of James, the bishop of Jerusalem, and the martyr to the faith he here disowns. And this Judas is the Jude author of the Epistle bearing that name.
Depart hence—Leave this obscure provincial Galilee.
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Go into Judea—Go to the headquarters of pure Judaism, to the great metropolis.
Thy disciples—Who will be assembled in their fullest force at the feast, whether they belong to Judea or Galilee. They were doubtless aware that in eastern Judea the preaching of John and Jesus both had won many disciples to Christ.
See the works—They believed that he could show works that might justify the faith of his disciples.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. His brethren] See on Joh_2:12.
3. His brethren] See on Joh_2:12.
Depart hence] The bluntness of this suggestion, given almost as a command, shews that they presumed upon their near relationship. It would be more natural in the mouths of men older than Christ, and therefore is in favour of their being sons of Joseph by a former marriage rather than sons of Joseph and Mary (comp. Mar_3:21; Mar_3:31). They shared the ordinary beliefs of the Jews about the Messiah, and therefore did not believe in their Brother. But His miracles perplexed them, and they wished the point brought to a decisive issue. There is no treachery in their suggestion; its object is not to put Him in the power of His enemies.
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thy disciples also] His brethren seem to imply that they themselves are not His disciples even nominally.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 (3) His brethren . . .—Comp. Note on Mat_13:55.…
(3) His brethren . . .—Comp. Note on Mat_13:55. They are excluded here by their own words from the band of disciples, as they are by St. John’s from the believers (Joh_7:5), and inferentially (Joh_7:7) by the words of Christ Himself from the Twelve. (Comp. Joh_15:18.)
That thy disciples also may see . . .—The last time the word “disciples” was used, it was to mark the departure of many from Him (Joh_6:60; Joh_6:66). The months which have passed since have been a time of comparative retirement. He did not go to the Passover, where many would have expected to see Him (Joh_7:11), but within the narrowed circle continued His works and words. The prophet hath not honour in His own home, and His brethren, who have seen these works and do not believe, challenge Him to an open demonstration of them. There is another great feast at hand, and His disciples from all parts will be at Jerusalem, where the rulers will test His claims. If He is the Messiah, no conspiracy to kill Him can prevail; and if these works are really divine, let the great body of disciples see them, and amid the joyous feast, and in the royal city, proclaim Him king.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 His brethren therefore (pointing to the high significance of…
His brethren therefore (pointing to the high significance of this national and triumphant feast) said unto him. These brethren were (Mat_13:55) James, Joses, Simon, and Judas, and, without entering once more on the much-debated question of their actual relation to Jesus, (see Joh_2:12, and notes) it may be said that this passage in a very marked manner discriminates them from the apostles or disciples, and practically negatives the "cousin" theory derived from the supposed identification of Alphaeus with Cleophas, and consequently of the sons of Alphaeus (James, Judas, and Simon) with the apostles of the same names. The lack of sympathy shown by these men, and the positive assertion of their non-belief in Jesus, is incompatible with the great confession so recently made, (Joh_6:68, Joh_6:69) and cannot (with Hengstenberg and Lange) be diluted into imperfect appreciation of claims which they wished in a secular sense to press forward to full assertion. They appeared here to criticize their Brother"s prolonged absence from Jerusalem, and his abstention from the Passover and other national festivals. They would, perhaps sincerely, hurry forward his public demonstration, and compel him to say to the great world what he had been saying in Galilaean villages, in the borders of Tyre, and in the cities of Decapolis. Depart hence, and go into Judaea. "This is the time and place." Thoma sees in this advice the same idea which, on the mount of Transfiguration, was suggested by Moses and Elijah "concerning the departure which the Lord was to accomplish in Jerusalem." The Johannist has clothed the same material insinuation in a dialogue (dialogische Verhandlung). It has been said that this kind of advice is rather in favour of the hypothesis that these brethren were elder than Jesus, and possibly the children of Joseph by an earlier marriage, who thus took upon themselves the function of advisers. Such a hint, however (given by Westcott), seems very shadowy confirmation of the theory. Younger brothers would be just as likely to err in the same direction. In order that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest. The words "thy disciples" may (Godet, Luthardt formerly) have had special reference to the fact that our Lord had made in Judaea "more disciples than had John", (Joh_4:1) that there were even members of the Sanhedrin who had to some extent looked favourably upon, (Joh_3:1) and needed confirmation of their faith. There may also have been tacit reference to the circumstance recorded in ch. 6. that his Galilaean disciples had deserted him; but it is more likely (Meyer) that the brethren took it for granted that those who in numerous places had received his word would be gathered together in Jerusalem, and would have an opportunity of seeing with their own eyes and in consociation with each other the works of healing and might which were being variously reported, canvassed, and disputed in the schools of Galilee. "Thy disciples" is a wide word, and may easily refer to all who, whether in Jerusalem or Galilee, went by his name. It is a designation which, however, does not include the speakers. "The works which thou art doing" is sufficiently illustrated from the group of remarkable events which had eternalized the previous twelve months of the Galilaean ministry (see on ver. 1).
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv3–4 3. His brethren said unto him. His brothers. John…
3. His brethren said unto him. His brothers. John 2:12. Depart hence, and go into Judea. A long time had passed since he had been at Jerusalem, and these brethren wished him to show his mighty powers there.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v4 kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5 This refers to the actual younger brothers of Jesus,…
brothers
This refers to the actual younger brothers of Jesus, the sons of Mary and Joseph.
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the works that you do
The word "works" refers to the miracles that Jesus had performed.
he himself
The word "himself" is a reflexive pronoun that emphasizes the word "he." (See: Reflexive Pronouns)
the world
Here "the world" is a metonym for all of the people in the world. AT: "all people" or "everyone" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
brother
disciple
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 7:3-5 Jesus’ brothers (see also Mark 3:31) reminded him…
7:3-5 Jesus’ brothers (see also Mark 3:31) reminded him of his religious obligation to celebrate the festival. Their words were cynical because at this time they didn’t believe in him (John 7:5).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.