Devine Scripture

John 7:23

What does John 7:23 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:23 means

He argues that if a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that Moses’ Law is not broken, they should not be angry that He made a man “every whit whole” on the Sabbath. The reasoning is from lesser to greater: if a partial procedure to honor the Law is allowed, surely a complete restoration is fitting. Jesus reframes the Sabbath as a day for covenant faithfulness and mercy, not rigid legalism. Their anger reveals misplaced priorities. His healing aligns with the Law’s intent to bless and restore, exposing their judgment as inconsistent and unjust.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If a child is given circumcision on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

if a man doth receive circumcision on a sabbath that the law of Moses may not be broken, are ye wroth with me that I made a man all whole on a sabbath?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath day, that the law of Moses may not be broken: are you angry at me, because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If a man receives circumcision on sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be violated, are ye angry with me because I have made a man entirely sound on sabbath?

Context

This completes Jesus’ argument about Sabbath works. Having shown their inconsistency, He will issue a directive in the next verse: stop judging by appearances and judge righteously (verse 24). The crowd’s assumptions about Jesus will then be challenged by residents of Jerusalem who are aware of the leaders’ designs (verses 25–26), deepening the conversation about His identity and authority.

v.22Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man.

v.23This passage

v.24Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Cross references

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

  • John 5:14

    Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee.

  • Matthew 12:5

    Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

  • Matthew 12:2

    But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.

  • John 5:8

    Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.

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