John 7:42
What does John 7:42 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:42 means
They cite Scripture that the Christ comes from David’s seed and from Bethlehem, David’s village. Their knowledge is right, but their facts about Jesus are incomplete. He does fulfill Davidic and Bethlehem prophecies, though many do not know it. The verse demonstrates how accurate biblical expectations can still lead to wrong conclusions if one’s information about Jesus is partial. It underscores the need to judge with righteous judgment, not by appearance. The stumbling here is not Scripture but misunderstanding of Jesus’ true origin. Even so, this debate shows the people taking Scripture seriously as they evaluate claims.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not the Writings say that the Christ comes of the seed of David and from Beth-lehem, the little town where David was?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Did not the Writing say, that out of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem--the village where David was--the Christ doth come?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Doth not the scripture say: That Christ cometh of the seed of David and from Bethlehem the town where David was?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from the village of Bethlehem, where David was?
Context
This statement responds to the claim that Jesus is the Christ by invoking legitimate messianic criteria. Nevertheless, lacking knowledge of His birth, they oppose Him. The result is growing division (verse 43) and another attempted seizure (verse 44). These reactions set the stage for the officers’ return to the leaders empty-handed and the ensuing exchange that reveals the unique authority of Jesus’ words (verses 45–46).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- John 7:27
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
- 1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.
- Luke 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
- 1 Samuel 16:4
And Samuel did that which Jehovah spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
- Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
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