Devine Scripture

John 7:14

What does John 7:14 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:14 means

At the feast’s midpoint, Jesus goes into the temple and teaches. He does not hide forever; He chooses the moment to reveal Himself in God’s house, addressing Israel at the heart of its worship. His teaching, not a sign here, takes center stage. He proclaims truth in the face of fear and opposition. This bold step shows His authority and unwavering commitment to the Father’s will. The timing—mid-feast—ensures large crowds and maximum exposure. He confronts rumor with revelation, and whispers with the public word. The Shepherd calls His sheep amid the noise of divided opinions and the threat of hostile leaders.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now in the middle of the feast Jesus went up to the Temple and was teaching.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it being now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up to the temple, and he was teaching,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now, about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

Context

The hush around Jesus breaks as He steps into the temple. Reactions follow quickly: astonishment at His learning (verse 15), His claim that His teaching is from the One who sent Him (verse 16), and the test of discerning God’s doctrine by willing obedience (verse 17). This is the turning point from secrecy to proclamation. Understanding this shift helps frame the conflicts that immediately intensify.

v.13Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

v.14This passage

v.15The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:55

    In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.

  • Matthew 21:12

    And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;

  • Numbers 29:12

    And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto Jehovah seven days:

  • John 8:2

    And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

  • John 7:28

    Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

  • Luke 19:47

    And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:

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