It seems the Jewish authorities set up a watch to locate Jesus as soon as he arrived in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:11). The Greek word (G2212) John used for seeking Jesus is variously translated: sought, were seeking, looked for etc. Their search for him appears to be more than simply keeping an eye out for him. Rather, the same word was used in John 16:19 for Jesus’ disciples questioning one another, and by Mark and Luke for Jesus’ enemies seeking a sign from him (Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16). It is also used of Jesus’ parents searching for him when he was twelve years old (Luke 2:48-49). So, the Jewish authorities probably questioned many from the caravan from Galilee, including Jesus’ brethren.
No doubt the Jewish authorities’ investigation surrounding Jesus’ whereabouts caused a stir among the caravan from Galilee, and, if they weren’t wondering about Jesus prior to their being questioned, they were now. Many murmured among themselves, saying Jesus was a deceiver, while others claimed he was a good man. No doubt these murmurings spilled over to other groups of Jews, pilgrims from Galilee who knew of Jesus and others who lived in Judea and Jerusalem, who came expecting to see him again. However, no one did this openly for fear that the Jewish authorities would misunderstand and believe they knew where he was (John 7:12-13).
We aren’t told how or when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. Nor are we told how long he may have been with his disciples, teaching them secretly in Bethany or on Mount Olivet overlooking Jerusalem. However, we do know that he suddenly went up into the Temple and taught sometime after the feast had begun (John 7:14). If I am correct that the so-called ‘Mount of Transfiguration’ is none other than the Mount of Olives, then the Synoptics have Jesus in Jerusalem from the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, which is an eight-day national festival, and begins on the 15th of the seventh month.
Some critics have sought to use John 7:15 to say Jesus was an ignorant backwater preacher who never went to school, but this is concluded either ignorantly, or because they purposely use John’s record out of context to support a biased opinion of their own. Notice that the Jewish authorities were listening to Jesus, while he taught in the Temple. They spoke among themselves rather audibly, because Jesus replies to their question. They asked one another how Jesus knew so much, when he was never formally taught in one of their schools.[1]
Just prior to the Jews’ revolt from Rome in 66 AD, the officiating high priest, Joshua ben Gamala (cir. 64 AD) declared that teachers would be appointed in every town of every province throughout Palestine. Their purpose was to provide an education for every male from the age of six or seven and upward. One teacher would serve a community of up to 25 students. A teacher’s assistant would be added for communities having up to 50 students and for communities having more than 50 students two teachers would be provided.[2] The synagogues were used for many things including for schooling children: teaching them to read and write and the basics about their faith. The Jewish authorities in John 7:15 did not have this sort of school in mind.
In reply to the question of the Jewish authorities, Jesus told them, as he had mentioned on other occasions, that he didn’t learn these things from men. In fact, flesh and blood know nothing about the Kingdom of God (cp. 1Corinthians 2:9). Moreover, the Kingdom of God can’t even be seen by men, unless they are born again (John 3:3). According to Jesus, such things are taught by God himself (John 6:45), so how could he have learned about the Kingdom of God by attending one of their rabbinic schools (John 7:16)?
As proof of his claim, Jesus told the Jewish authorities and everyone else who was listening:
“If any man will do his will, he will know of the doctrine, whether it is of God, or if I speak of myself” (John 7:17).
Doing the will of God is to believe Jesus (John 6:29), because believers know very well that no man could do the miracles Jesus was doing among the people (John 3:2). If one knows Jesus was sent by God, it would be rebellion not to believe him. Therefore, believe Jesus and test whether or not his doctrine about God teaching men (John 6:29) is true. In other words, if Jesus spoke a lie (unrighteousness), he spoke of himself alone, but, if God acted on the hearts and minds of those who believed Jesus, then Jesus didn’t speak alone, but the Father, himself, witnessed to the believer that Jesus was telling the truth (John 7:18). It is just that simple, but those in authority wouldn’t admit they couldn’t see, vis-à-vis that they were blind to spiritual matters (John 9:40-41).
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[1] For example, Paul tells us he was taught at the feet of the then famous Jewish rabbi, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Notice that Paul didn’t say Gamaliel taught him how to read and write, but taught him about the Law and Jewish traditions. Therefore, John 7:15 concerned the rabbinic schools. Jesus knew what was taught there, but was never among any of their pupils.
[2] See the Babylonians Talmud: B. Bava Batra 21a. See also Josephus’ record of national education in Against Apion 1.12 [60] and Against Apion 2.19 [176-178].
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