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?

John 7:36 (KJV)

Context

John 7 is set during the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the Jewish festivals. Jesus was in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple. In the preceding verses, Jesus had told the crowd that He would be with them only a little while longer before going to the One who sent Him, and that they would seek Him but not find Him. The people were divided in their opinions about Him; some recognized Him as the Messiah, while others doubted and questioned His authority. Their question in verse 36 is a direct response to that speculation, as they repeat His words and ask what He means.

Meaning

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.

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).

The phrase “where I am” points to Jesus’ divine origin and His impending return to the Father. The people’s inability to come where He is suggests a spiritual separation, not merely a physical one. Their question reveals that they found His saying difficult to understand, underscoring that Jesus’ teaching often used veiled language, and His true identity and mission were not fully understood by the crowds.

Biblical connections

This verse foreshadows the later teaching in John 8:21, where Jesus says, “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come,” making the connection between seeking and not finding more explicit. In John 13:33, Jesus repeats a similar saying to His disciples, indicating that even they would not be able to follow Him immediately.

Application

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.