John 7:8
What does John 7:8 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:8 means
Jesus tells His brothers to go up to the feast without Him, adding that He is not going up to this feast because His time is not yet fulfilled. He refuses the public path they propose. The focus is on divine timing—He will not place Himself in the hands of enemies before the appointed hour. Some manuscripts read “not yet,” and the narrative soon shows that He does go later, but secretly. The point stands: He will not go in the manner and timing others demand. His mission will unfold as the Father directs, not as family pressure or public expectation dictates.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Go you up to the feast: I am not going up now to the feast because my time has not fully come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Ye--go ye up to this feast; I do not yet go up to this feast, because my time hath not yet been fulfilled;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Go you up to this festival day: but I go not up to this festival day, because my time is not accomplished.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye, go ye up to this feast. I go not up to this feast, for my time is not yet fulfilled.
Context
Jesus has stated the world’s hatred and the misalignment of timing. Here He declines their approach to the feast. The immediate next verse shows Him remaining in Galilee, reinforcing the sincerity of His refusal to go publicly. Soon, however, He will go in secret (verse 10), demonstrating wisdom and control. This sequence prepares the reader for the tension between hiddenness and open proclamation that develops mid-feast when He teaches in the temple.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 7:6
Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 2:15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
- John 7:30
They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.
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