Obedience, Rejection, and Divine Timing: Jesus and the Fulfillment of God’s Plan (John 7:1-5, 10, 25-30)

After this, Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. 2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 No one works in secret if he wants to be known publicly. If you do these things, manifest yourself to the world.” 5 For his brothers did not believe in him. 

10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but [as it were] in secret. 

25 Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? 26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where he is from. When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” 28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 But many of the crowd began to believe in him, and said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man has done?”

In John 7:1-5, 10, 25-30, the scene unfolds during the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths), when the Jewish people commemorated God’s provision and abiding presence during their wilderness journey.  The passage begins with Jesus remaining in Galilee, avoiding Judea because the Jewish authorities were seeking to kill him (vv. 1-2).  His brothers challenge him to go to Judea and reveal himself publicly, exposing their lack of belief in him (vv. 3-5).  Jesus responds that his “time” has not yet come (v. 6), underscoring the divine timing that governs his mission.  He later goes to the feast in secret (v. 10) and is met with growing speculation and division among the people concerning his identity (vv. 25-27).  Despite this rising opposition, Jesus teaches openly in the temple, affirming his divine origin and that his mission comes from the Father (vv. 28-30).

This moment in Jesus' life draws deeply from the Old Testament, where the Feast itself and the prophetic themes surrounding it find their fulfillment in Him.  Leviticus 23:39-43, which institutes the Feast of Booths to remember God's providence, finds deeper fulfillment in Jesus, who reveals himself as the true “dwelling” of God among his people (cf. John 1:14).  Isaiah 50:4-7 portrays the obedient Servant of the Lord who acts according to God’s timing, paralleling Jesus’ deliberate restraint and obedience in waiting for the appointed hour (John 7:6).  Psalm 69:8, which speaks of rejection by one’s own kin, is reflected in the unbelief of Jesus' brothers (John 7:5), revealing the deeper theme of redemptive suffering that marks his mission. 

Jesus’ actions in this passage point to his obedience to the Father’s plan, following the divine timing of his mission (John 7:6, 30).  His reluctance to act prematurely (v. 6) and his later boldness (vv. 28-29) reflect his role in fulfilling God’s salvific plan, particularly his eventual sacrifice.  His words in the temple echo the fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament, such as God’s promise to dwell among his people (Leviticus 23:43), and Jesus is the true manifestation of this presence. 

This passage resonates deeply with Lenten themes. Just as Jesus waits for the appointed time to reveal himself fully, Lent invites Christians into a season of preparation, obedience, and inward reflection. In this sacred time, the faithful journey toward the ultimate revelation of God’s love in the Passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your obedience to the Father’s will, as shown in your perfect timing and submission to His divine plan.  Just as the Servant in Isaiah faithfully carries out God's mission, help us to trust in your timing for our lives.  May we recognize you as the true dwelling of God’s presence and find refuge in your love.  We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

                                                       

Sources

• McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
• Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.