Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 24 - Sections 93-95

Read John 7:1-13. All the events here in John are unique; that is, they are not recorded in any of the other Gospel writers. This is not unusual since John did not use the same oral account that the other writers used. He relied more upon his personal experiences. The feast of tabernacles took place on September 10-17 in AD 32. It was one of the three great feasts which all godly Jews tried to celebrate in Jerusalem.

1. Why was Jesus avoiding Jewry, that is, the territory of Judea?

2. What did Jesus’ brothers suggest that He do and why?

3. In verse 8 of chapter 7, Jesus tells his brothers, “Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast…” but in verse 10, He does go up. Did Jesus purposely mislead His brothers?

4. Why do you think Jesus went up secretly?

Read John 7:14-8:59. This is a long section of various things Jesus taught in the Temple while attending the feast of Tabernacles, which lasted a week. Although He arrived secretly, probably with a few of His disciples (Peter, James and John), His teaching could not be kept quiet. There is not a single topic, nor is this a single discourse. It is a variety of topics as Jesus responded to the questions and comments of the people and religious leaders over the course of this week.

5. What surprised many of the Jews about our Lord’s teachings? (See verse 7:15)

6. What was our Lord’s reply to the question about how He learned so much having never been formally trained?

7. What objection did the Jews make about Jesus’ background in verse 7:27?

8. What objection did the Jews make about our Lord’s background in verses 7:41-42?

9. On the last day of the feast, when the priest poured out the water from the golden pitcher, what did Jesus say would flow from within a person if they believed in Him?

10. What did Jesus mean by this statement?

11. What statement did Jesus make of Himself in verse 8:12?

12. What did He mean by this statement?

13. What did Jesus tell the Jews who believed in Him would make them free?

14. What did He mean by this statement?

15. What did Jesus tell the religious leaders would be true for those who kept His sayings (word) in chapter 8 verse 51?

16. What remarkable statement did Jesus make regarding Himself and Abraham’s birth or existence?

17. What did this statement imply?

Read John 9:1-10:23. Jesus performs another miracle of healing on the Sabbath. This time He did it in such a way that it conflicted with the religious traditions.

18. What questions did the disciples ask about the blind man?

19. What was our Lord’s answer?

20. Do you think this man was grateful for his healing? Why?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.