John 7:36
“What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?”
To better understand this verse, let’s explore its context within the chapter.
John 7 is set during the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the Jewish festivals. Jesus was in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple. In this chapter, we find Jesus engaging in various discussions and debates with both the people and the religious leaders.
In the preceding verses, Jesus speaks about His identity, authority, and relationship with God the Father. He proclaims Himself as the living water and the light of the world, which stirs up controversy and division among the people.
Now, let’s focus on verse 36 and examine its significance and the message it conveys.
Seek and not find:Jesus begins by saying, “Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me.” This statement indicates that there will come a time when the people will seek Jesus but will not be able to find Him. Jesus could be referring to His impending departure from this world through His crucifixion and resurrection. After His resurrection, Jesus would ascend to heaven, and physically seeking Him would not be possible.
Where I am, thither ye cannot come:Jesus follows His previous statement by saying, “and where I am, thither ye cannot come.” Here, Jesus hints at the spiritual dimension of His statement. He refers to His return to the Father in heaven and indicates that the people cannot come to the Father on their own accord. This emphasizes the need for faith in Jesus as the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Overall, this verse reflects Jesus’ teachings about His identity, His mission, and the necessity of faith. It points to the fact that Jesus would not always be physically present with the people, but they can still seek and find Him spiritually through faith. It also emphasizes the exclusive nature of the relationship with the Father through Jesus.
It’s important to consider the larger context of John’s Gospel and the themes presented throughout the book to fully grasp the significance of this verse. Studying the surrounding verses and reading the entire Gospel of John will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Jesus’ ministry, teachings, and purpose.
