Devine Scripture

John 7:2

What does John 7:2 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:2 means

The Feast of Tabernacles is “at hand,” explaining the rising movement toward Jerusalem. This pilgrimage festival recalled God’s provision in the wilderness and celebrated His ongoing care. It was a time of joy, national memory, and messianic hope. For Jesus, the feast provides a providential stage to reveal His identity in word and sign. The mention of this specific feast signals that what follows will be saturated with themes of water, light, and dwelling—ideas rich in Israel’s Scriptures. The verse gives a time marker and alerts us that crowds, leaders, and heightened expectations will converge around Jesus in the holy city.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the feast of the Jews, the feast of tents, was near.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the feast of the Jews was nigh--that of tabernacles--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now the tabernacles, the feast of the Jews, was near.

Context

After noting danger in Judæa, John introduces the feast that draws the nation to Jerusalem. This provides the backdrop for Jesus’ brothers urging Him to go up publicly, for murmuring among the crowds, and for temple teaching. The feast functions as both setting and symbol: it gathers the people and sets the stage for Jesus’ climactic cry about living water later in the chapter. Recognizing the feast’s significance prepares the reader to understand the debates and declarations that occur in the city’s charged atmosphere.

v.1And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him.

v.2This passage

v.3His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Kings 8:65

    So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath unto the brook of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

  • Nehemiah 8:14

    And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;

  • Ezra 3:4

    And they kept the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required;

  • 1 Kings 8:2

    And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

  • 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:

  • Deuteronomy 16:13

    Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress:

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