John – Chapter 7:40—8:11
Introduction: For the next section, Jesus does not speak again until 8:7. 7:40-52 describes the confusion and conflict between the crowd, the Pharisees, and the Sanhedrin. The people respond strongly to His messianic character. The council takes an even harder stand against Him. 7:40-44 – The statement of “living water” from 7:38 likely is causing the rise in Messianic expectations. Some suggest He is the fulfillment of Deut 18 (“the prophet.”) Others see Him as the Christ. And a third group, wonder how He can be the Messiah without fulfilling the Son of David expectation, specifically citing the Scripture as their testimony (e.g. Psalm 132:11; Jer 23:5; Micah 5:2; 2 Sam 7:12ff; Is 11:1; etc.) Of course Jesus of the house and lineage of David (see the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke.) But John’s Gospel is less concerned with Jesus’ earthly origin but His heavenly (see 6:44ff.) v. 45-49 – Now the officers sent by the Sanhedrin to arrest Jesus (7:32) report back. These officers acknowledge that Jesus spoke with a power greater than any ordinary man. And the council define exactly what their argument is with Jesus: He gives the impression of being beyond reproach. “This crowd which does not know the law” is a pejorative term like “people of the land,” that is, those who cared little or nothing about the prescriptions of the scribes, especially the Pharisees. The terms “deceived” and “accursed” are the harshest criticism of both these officers and those who believe Jesus. v. 50-52 – Suddenly, Nicodemus (3:1ff) is back on the scene. He defends Jesus in a way, at least appealing to his fellow Pharisees to compare their law to the word Jesus speaks. If they are to judge Jesus, it ought to be by their law. No one is to be condemned unheard and without careful examination (see Dt 1:16; 17:4; 19:18). Nicodemus, perhaps unintentionally, exposes the hypocrisy of the Sanhedrin, and adds to the incredible scene in 19:39. The way his fellow Pharisees respond is remarkable. They do not engage his objection but respond sarcastically lumping Nicodemus in with Jesus as a Galilean! And their insult is historically incorrect even if the expectation is reasonable, see Is. 91:1-2; 2 Kings 14:25. Appealing to the Law is fruitless when it is not understood in light of the Gospel (see Jn 1:17 and 5:39). 7:53—8:11 – This section…