Joh 7:11-13 | RWP | e4.org | The Jews ( ο Ιουδαιο ). The hostile leaders in Jerusalem, not the Galilean crowds ( ) nor the populace in Jerusalem ( ). Sought ( εζητουν ). Imperfect active of ζητεω , "were seeking," picture of the attitude of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus who had not yet appeared in public at the feast. In fact he had avoided Jerusalem since the collision in chapter 5. The leaders clearly wished to attack him. Where is he? ( που εστιν εκεινοσ; ). "Where is that one? (emphatic use of εκεινος as in ; ). Jesus had been at two feasts during his ministry (passover in .; possibly another passover in ), but he had avoided the preceding passover ( ; ). The leaders in Jerusalem had kept in touch with Christ's work in Galilee. They anticipate a crisis in Jerusalem.

‏ John 7:11-13

The Jews ( ο Ιουδαιο ). The hostile leaders in Jerusalem, not the Galilean crowds (7:12) nor the populace in Jerusalem (7:25).

Sought ( εζητουν ). Imperfect active of ζητεω, "were seeking," picture of the attitude of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus who had not yet appeared in public at the feast. In fact he had avoided Jerusalem since the collision in chapter 5. The leaders clearly wished to attack him.

Where is he? ( που εστιν εκεινοσ; ). "Where is that one? (emphatic use of εκεινος as in 1:8; 9:12). Jesus had been at two feasts during his ministry (passover in 2:12ff.; possibly another passover in 5:1), but he had avoided the preceding passover (6:4; 7:1). The leaders in Jerusalem had kept in touch with Christ's work in Galilee. They anticipate a crisis in Jerusalem.

Much murmuring ( γογγυσμος πολυς ). This Ionic onomatopoetic word is from γογγυζω for which verb see 6:41, 61; 7:32, for secret displeasure (Ac 6:1) or querulous discontent (Php 2:14).

Among the multitudes ( εν τοις οχλοις ). "The multitudes" literally, plural here only in John. These different groups were visitors from Galilee and elsewhere and were divided in their opinion of Jesus as the Galileans had already become (6:66).

A good man ( αγαθος ). Pure in motive. See Mr 10:17f.; Ro 5:7 (absolute sense of God). Superior to δικαιος. Jesus had champions in these scattered groups in the temple courts.

Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray ( ου, αλλα πλανα τον οχλον ). Sharp clash in the crowd. Present active indicative of πλαναω, to go astray (Mt 18:12f.), like our "planets," to lead others astray (Mt 24:4, 5, 11, etc.). In the end the rulers will call Jesus "that deceiver" ( εκεινος ο πλανος, Mt 27:63). The Jewish leaders have a following among the crowds as is seen (7:31f.).

Howbeit ( μεντο ). See 4:27 for this compound particle ( μεν, το ), by way of exception, but yet.

Spake ( ελαλε ). Imperfect active of λαλεω, "was speaking," picturing the whispering or secret talk ( no man openly, ουδεις παρρησια ). Best MSS. do not have εν here with παρρησια (locative or instrumental case of manner) as in 7:26; 10:24; 11:54, but εν genuine in 7:4; Col 2:15. This adverbial use of παρρησια is common enough (Mr 8:37).

For fear of the Jews ( δια τον φοβον των Ιουδαιων ). Objective genitive. The crowds really feared the Jewish leaders and evidently did not wish to involve Jesus or themselves. See the same phrase and attitude on the part of the disciples in 19:38; 20:19.