John 7:36
What does John 7:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:36 means
They repeat the question about His statement: what does He mean by, “You shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, you cannot come”? Their repetition underlines their confusion and spiritual dullness. They echo His words without grasping their weight. Jesus is speaking of His return to the Father and the separation that unbelief brings. Their inability to understand leaves them unprepared for the moment of opportunity about to be offered. The scene pauses in bewilderment, ready for the climactic invitation He will make to quench the deepest thirst of the soul.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What is this saying of his, You will be looking for me and will not see me, and where I am you may not come?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862what is this word that he said, Ye will seek me, and ye shall not find? and, Where I am, ye are not able to come?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What is this saying that he hath said: You shall seek me and shall not find me? And: Where I am, you cannot come?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What word is this which he said, Ye shall seek me and shall not find [me]; and where I am ye cannot come?
Context
This verse closes the thread of misunderstanding about Jesus’ departure. Immediately afterward, on the feast’s last and greatest day, He will stand and cry out an invitation to the thirsty (verse 37). The shift moves from puzzled speculation to a gracious, universal call, interpreted by John as a promise of the Spirit to believers (verses 38–39). The narrative transitions from confusion to clear gospel offer.
v.35The 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?
v.36This passage
v.37Now on the last day, the greatdayof the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
- John 6:52
The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
- John 6:41
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.
- John 16:17
Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
- John 12:34
The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
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