John 7:35
What does John 7:35 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:35 means
The Jews wonder aloud where Jesus intends to go, imagining He might travel to the Dispersion among the Greeks to teach them. Their speculation confines His words to geography and ethnicity, missing His reference to returning to the Father. Ironically, they name a mission field the gospel will later reach through His apostles. But for now, their question shows their inability to perceive spiritual realities He presents. They react as if a change of location could explain His saying, rather than a change of realm. Their puzzlement makes His prior warning sound to them like an odd travel plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Jews said among themselves, To what place is he going where we will not see him? will he go to the Jews living among the Greeks and become the teacher of the Greeks?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Jews, therefore, said among themselves, `Whither is this one about to go that we shall not find him? --to the dispersion of the Greeks is he about to go? and to teach the Greeks;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Jews therefore said among themselves: Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles and teach the Gentiles?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Jews therefore said to one another, Where is he about to go that we shall not find him? Is he about to go to the dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
Context
This response follows Jesus’ declaration that they will seek and not find Him. The crowd seeks a natural explanation: perhaps He will go to scattered Jews and even Greeks. Their question will be repeated in essence (verse 36), showing continued confusion. This misunderstanding heightens the impact of Jesus’ forthcoming public cry on the feast’s last day, where He offers living water with unmistakable clarity (verses 37–39).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 21:21
and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
- 1 Timothy 2:7
whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- Colossians 1:27
to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
- John 12:20
Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:
- 2 Timothy 1:11
whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
- 1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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