Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible




Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim, which was visible from where they were sitting]; but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people should worship [God]." Verse ConceptsSamaritansWorship, Places OfAncestorsHow To Worship God

Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year to attend the Passover Festival. [Note: This was the annual Jewish festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage under Moses' leadership]. Verse ConceptsFeastingVisitingWorship, Times ForEvery Yearparenthood

After these things Jesus went up to Jerusalem to [attend] a Jewish festival. Verse ConceptsPilgrimageVisitingFestivals ObservedIdentity In Christjerusalem

So, he left them, saying, "I will come back to you if it is God's will." Then He sailed from Ephesus. Verse ConceptsGod, Sovereignty OfGuidance, God's Promises OfSeafaringFarewellsSea TravelGod's Will Be Donesailinggoodbyes

Now there were certain Greeks among those going up to Jerusalem to worship [God] at the [Passover] Festival [Note: These people were God-fearing Gentiles like Cornelius. See Acts 10]. Verse ConceptsGreeksJudaismProselytesflexibility


Then after these things happened, Jesus traveled in Galilee [only], for He did not want to move around in Judea because the Jews [there] were trying to kill Him. Now it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles [Note: This was also called "Festival of Shelters," and was one of three principal, annual Jewish festivals and commemorated the occasion of the Israelites living in tents or shelters during their forty year wandering in the desert]. Then Jesus' [half-] brothers said to Him, "You should leave here and go to Judea so your disciples [there] can see the [supernatural] deeds you are performing. read more.
For no one does things secretly if he wants to become known publicly. Since you are doing such things, show yourself to the world." For even Jesus' [half-] brothers did not believe in Him [i.e., at that time]. So, Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come [i.e., to be revealed to the world as its Savior], but it is always your time [i.e., they could go to the festival anytime without rousing opposition]. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about its deeds, that they are evil. You men go [on] up to the festival, but I am not going up yet [Note: Although "yet" appears in only a few manuscripts, it seems to be the proper idea here], because my time has not yet come. [See verse 6]. Then after saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee [i.e., for awhile longer. See next verse]. But after His [half-] brothers had gone up to the Festival, Jesus also went up, but secretly instead of openly. So, the Jews [i.e., their authorities] began searching for Him at the Festival, and were saying, "Where is he?" And there was much whispering about Him among the crowds. Some were saying, "He is a good man," [but] others said, "No [he is not], he is [just] deceiving the crowd." However, no one said anything about Him openly for fear of the Jews. But when the Festival was about half over, Jesus went up into the Temple and began teaching.