-
PER216
The conflicting assessment of the people
On the last day of the Feast of Sukkot in Jerusalem (October AD 32), Jesus proclaims himself to be a source of living water. The crowd is divided: some recognize him as the Messiah, others refuse to accept what is plain. The guards sent to arrest him disobey, impressed by his words. Nicodemus argues for a fair judgment, while the Pharisees put forward flimsy arguments. The opposition of the religious authorities turns fanatical, making Jesus' death their sole objective.
John 7.40-53 (King James Version) :Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?So there was a division among the people because of him.And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.And every man went unto his own house.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org