Devine Scripture

John 7:6

What does John 7:6 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:6 means

Jesus answers that His time has not yet come, but for His brothers, any time seems acceptable. He speaks of the divine schedule guiding His steps, a theme throughout John. He will not move on human prompting, even from family. Meanwhile, His brothers, aligned with ordinary worldly rhythms, feel no such constraint. The remark contrasts divine mission with human impulse. Jesus’ ministry is paced by the Father’s will and the unfolding plan of redemption. He is free from the tyranny of the urgent or the demands of skeptics. By this, He hints that His eventual appearance in Jerusalem will be purposeful, not performative.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus said to them, My time is still to come, but any time is good for you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus, therefore, saith to them, `My time is not yet present, but your time is always ready;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then Jesus said to them: My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus therefore says to them, My time is not yet come, but your time is always ready.

Context

Coming after the brothers’ unbelieving counsel, this statement begins Jesus’ measured refusal. He introduces the contrast between His divinely ordered “time” and their always-open “time.” The next verse explains why the world is comfortable with them but hostile to Him. This prepares readers for His initial refusal to go publicly to the feast (verse 8) and His later, quiet journey (verse 10). The emphasis on timing anticipates later references to His “hour,” underscoring that opposition cannot force Him into premature confrontation.

v.5For even his brethren did not believe on him.

v.6This passage

v.7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 1:7

    And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority.

  • John 17:1

    These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee:

  • John 7:8

    Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.

  • John 8:20

    These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

  • Matthew 26:18

    And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

  • John 13:1

    Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

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