Christian Art | Jesus, Scribes, Pharisees | Temple
John 7: 40-53 – Lent Week 4, Saturday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
40 ¶ Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45 ¶ Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53 And every man went unto his own house.
There are people now who choose to think of Jesus simply as an extraordinary man, a wise man and a performer of miracles, and not as our saviour the Son of God. There were and are those who think of Jesus as a great prophet, whose mission was to reject Jewish sectarianism, and insurrection, and unite the Jewish people, to enable them to survive the Roman occupation while being true to God, to maintain the Kingdom in their hearts despite the presence of the occupying pagan and Gentile power.
The Jews of Christ’s time in the Bible faced these choices. Some realized that Jesus is God the Son, the Messiah, Christ. Others chose not to believe in him.
These people, of Bible times as of our time, look for signs, and yet they cannot see what is most evident before them. It is a cruel irony that the people cannot see that what they have longed for, and for so long, is finally arrived and to save them.
Christ has shown so much. He has performed miracles. Beyond this, his teaching is beautiful and, without prejudice, would be recognized as divine. The people are troubled. There is division among them. Can they let go of the falsehoods they ‘know’ and accept Jesus, or will they persist in falsehood and reject Jesus?
‘Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ This was Nathanael’s question when he was told of the good news of Jesus Christ. (John 1: 46) Jesus responds to Nathanael’s question with good humour, seeing this as an example of honesty. He says: ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!’ Philip’s words at this time are also significant. He says: ‘Come and see!’
Galilee is, similarly, something of a backwater, from the perspective of Jerusalem, and a politically troublesome one at that. Galilee was, and is, a tremendously fertile area, and the economy at the time was booming. In terms of the coming of the Messiah, Galilean roots were hardly what the Jews were expecting. When Christ comes to us to save us he comes from the marginal areas of now human and then religious life. We must humble ourselves and confess our sins as we ask to approach Christ and be reconciled with him.
The truth of Jesus is astonishing to grasp. We are asked to listen, to see, to believe. Listen to this man! Come and see! Both seeing Jesus and hearing his teachings bring us toward belief. We are asked to be honest, to open our eyes and our ears. We are asked to bear witness to Jesus openly and honestly. Then we will have the truth and we will not be afraid to believe in him.
Those Temple policemen sent to arrest Jesus cannot do so. They return to their masters, the chief priests and Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, to explain that they simply could not arrest Jesus. They have been struck by the truth which the chief scribes and the Pharisees reject. Nevertheless, Nicodemus also shows openness of mind. There is always the hope and the possibility of conversion.
‘The gifts of the spirit are diverse: some men are called to testify openly to mankind’s yearning for its heavenly home and keep the awareness of it vividly before men’s minds; others are called to dedicate themselves to the service of men and in this way to prepare the way for the kingdom of heaven.’ Vatican II
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
Jesus Of Nazareth | Can Any Good Come Out Of Galilee?
John 7:40-53 recounts a scene in which some people in the crowd were divided about the identity of Jesus. Some said he was a prophet, while others believed he was the Messiah. The passage is clear that Jesus was from Galilee, specifically from the town of Nazareth. This identity of Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth is of crucial significance.
First, Nazareth was a small, insignificant village in the Roman province of Galilee, with no political or economic significance. This detail underscores the humble and unassuming origins of Jesus, and implies a choice by God of marginalized background.
Second, that Jesus is Jesus of Nazareth is key evidence, lest people doubt, for Jesus’ historical existence. While scholars cast doubt on the accuracy of the nativity account in the Gospels, whereby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there is little dispute among historians that Jesus was a real person who lived in the first century CE/AD. By emphasizing that Jesus was from Nazareth, the Gospel writers help to confirm authenticity of Jesus’ life and teachings – of Jesus as historical fact in a place and time.
Third, the association between Jesus and Nazareth is significant in the context of Jewish expectations about the coming of the Messiah. Jewish scriptures, particularly the prophetic books, foretold the coming of a Messiah who would deliver Israel from oppression and restore the nation to greatness. However, the expected Messiah was typically portrayed as a powerful and victorious figure, not as a humble carpenter from an obscure village. The fact that Jesus was of Nazareth, and not from a more prominent location, made it difficult for many Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
The Gospel of Matthew explains that Jesus’ family moved to Nazareth after his birth in Bethlehem in order to fulfil the prophecy that ‘he shall be called a Nazarene’ (Matthew 2:23, KJV). This association with Nazareth thereby helped to establish Jesus as a figure of divine authority and power, including that he came from humble origins. (It is considered untrue that ‘Nazarene’ is a corruption of ‘Nazarite’.)
In Catholic and Protestant traditions, Jesus’ association with Nazareth is often seen as a reflection of his humility and willingness to identify with the marginalized and oppressed. As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes: ‘His abode at Nazareth was doubtless one of the most obscure and humble in the town, and His occupation that of a carpenter, a trade held in little esteem.’ (Catholic Encyclopedia, ‘Jesus Christ’) Similarly, in Protestant theology, Jesus is often seen as the embodiment of God’s love for all people, regardless of social status or background.
That Jesus was Jesus of Nazareth underscores the many challenges and seeming contradictions that help the Christian to understand (or not) the mystery of Jesus’ divinity. We are called once again to acknowledge the difference between God’s truth and human reason.
King James Audio Bible | KJV | King James Version King Herod There were several individuals named Herod who played significant roles in ancient history, particularly in the history of the Roman Empire and the region of Palestine. Here is a brief overview of the most notable Herods: Herod the Great: Also known as Herod I, he was a Roman client king of Judea, ruling from 37 BC to 4 BC. He is perhaps most famous for his role in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. Herod Antipas: Also known as Herod II, he was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist and later had him beheaded. Herod Agrippa I: Also known as Herod III, he was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned the apostle Paul. Herod Agrippa II: Also known as Herod IV, he was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over parts of Palestine and Syria from 50 to 100 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who heard Paul’s defence before the Roman governor Festus. These rulers, who were known as the Herodian dynasty, were not Jewish but rather descended from a Greek family that had converted to Judaism. Despite this, they were appointed as rulers by the Roman Empire and were generally unpopular among the Jewish population due to their collaboration with the Roman occupation and their often brutal methods of rule. Herod The Great Herod the Great, also known as Herod I, was a Roman client king of Judea who ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC. He was born in 73 BC in Idumea, a region in southern Palestine, and was the son of Antipater the Idumean, an Edomite who had been appointed as a governor of Judea by the Roman general Pompey. Herod rose to power after the Roman general Julius Caesar appointed him as king of Judea in 40 BC. He consolidated his power over the next few years by defeating his rivals and establishing himself as the undisputed ruler of the region. As king, Herod embarked on a massive building program that included the expansion and renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the port city of Caesarea Maritima, and the fortification of several cities in Judea. He also commissioned the construction of a number of palaces and other buildings, including the famous Herodium, a palace-fortress located south of Jerusalem. Despite his many accomplishments, Herod was a controversial figure who was known for his harsh rule and his willingness to use violence to maintain his power. He was married several times and had a large number of children, several of whom he had executed when they posed a threat to his rule. One of the most famous stories associated with Herod is the biblical account of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus was saved by his parents, who fled to Egypt, and later returned to Palestine after Herod’s death. Herod died in 4 BC at the age of 70, leaving a legacy as one of the most significant rulers in the history of ancient Palestine. Herod Antipas Herod Antipas, also known as Herod II, was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He was born in 20 BC and was named after his father’s patron, the Roman emperor Augustus. Like his father, Herod Antipas was known for his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee and the expansion of the Temple in Jerusalem. He was also known for his political cunning and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the Roman Empire. Herod Antipas is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist, a prominent religious figure who criticized Herod’s marriage to his sister-in-law, Herodias. According to the New Testament, John was eventually beheaded at the request of Herodias’ daughter, Salome, who danced for Herod and his guests at a banquet. Herod Antipas is also mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who oversaw the trial and execution of Jesus. Although he initially wanted to release Jesus, he ultimately handed him over to the Roman authorities at the urging of the Jewish religious leaders. Herod Antipas’ rule came to an end in 39 AD when the Roman emperor Caligula exiled him to Gaul, modern-day France. He died in exile a few years later. Herod Agrippa I Herod Agrippa I, also known as Herod III, was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He was born in 10 BC and was the son of Aristobulus and Bernice, two of Herod the Great’s children. Herod Agrippa I was well-educated and fluent in both Greek and Hebrew, and he was highly regarded by the Roman authorities for his loyalty and his ability to maintain order in Judea. He was appointed as king of Judea in 41 AD by the Roman emperor Claudius, who was impressed by his abilities and saw him as a reliable ally in the region. As king, Herod Agrippa I continued the building projects of his grandfather and expanded the Temple in Jerusalem. He also implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving the lives of the […]
Jesus pays tribute to John the Baptist is a way which is enormously encouraging to the crowds. He teaches them that they have already begun to respond to God’s call. They have searched for God, and they have travelled on pilgrimage to see John the Baptist, who was not something flimsy and delicate but a prophet, and the greatest of the prophets at that, because he is nearest to Christ, especially called to prepare the way and to point Christ out to his followers [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) ‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: Naked, and ye clothed me not: I was sick, and ye visited me not: I was in prison, and ye came unto me not.’ Reflection on the Gospel In these verses, Jesus speaks about compassion and how our actions towards others reflect our love for Jesus. Jesus teaches us that by caring for those in need, we are also caring for Jesus. This passage challenges us to look beyond ourselves and extend kindness and mercy to those around us. Prayer Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for a heart filled with compassion. Help me to see others through your eyes, to feel their pain, and to be moved to action. Teach me to love and care for those who are suffering, just as Jesus did. Let my actions reflect your love and bring comfort to those in need. Thank you for your endless compassion and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Personal Reflection I think about a time when I was in need and someone showed me compassion. How did it make me feel? Now, I consider a time when I had the opportunity to help someone else. How did my actions impact them? Compassion is more than just feeling sympathy for others; it is about taking action to alleviate their suffering. By practicing compassion, I bring God’s love into the world. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Compassion begins with recognizing the humanity in others and responding with love and kindness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 remind me that my treatment of others is a reflection of my relationship with Jesus. This is not only a call to action but an invitation to embody God’s love in my daily life. As I meditate on this prayer, I remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Despite being a stranger, the Samaritan showed great compassion to a wounded traveler, demonstrating the kind of love Jesus calls me to show. This story illustrates that true compassion knows no boundaries and is driven by love. I think about those in my community who are in need. I visualize their faces and hold them in my thoughts. I imagine Jesus standing with me, encouraging me to extend compassion and kindness. I feel the warmth of Jesus’ love as I commit to making a difference in their lives. Compassion is not just about grand gestures but also about small acts of kindness that can transform someone’s day. It involves listening, understanding, and being present for others. As I practice compassion, I become a vessel of God’s grace, reflecting Jesus’ love to those around me. Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of compassion. Help me to follow your footsteps and show love to those in need. Grant me the strength and courage to act with kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with empathy and understanding, and let your love be evident in all that I do. Amen. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12 (KJV) ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;’ Blessing May the compassion of God fill my heart and guide my actions. May His grace empower me to show love and kindness to those in need. Go forth in His love, extending mercy and compassion to all you meet. Amen.
