The Gospel According to John

Biblical Research Monthly
September, 1956
Dr. David L. Cooper
(Installment Twenty)

STRIFE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JERUSALEM AUTHORITIES
Part Three
 

In the first installment of this series we studied John 7:1-13, which gives us the facts concerning those events which occurred before Jesus went to Jerusalem to attend the last Feast of Tabernacles during His life. In last month's study we investigated verses 14-36, which gives an account of what occurred during the feast. In the present study we shall examine the great invitation which Jesus extended, to all who thirst for God, on the last day of the Feast. "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39). On the last great day of the feast the ceremonies reached a climax. Rejoicing abounded. At the psychological moment Jesus gave His great invitation: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." This invitation reminds one of the others found in the Scriptures. For instance, in Psalm 2:10-12 is an invitation for the rulers and the kings of the earth to acknowledge and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Through Jeremiah God gave an invitation to backsliding Israel to come back to Him and to have fellowship with Him. In Matthew 11:28,29 the Lord Jesus gave an invitation to all who are burdened and heavy laden to come to Him and find rest. Finally, in Revelation 22:17 the Holy Spirit and the Church gives an invitation to all who are thirsty to come and drink of the water of life freely. On the occasion of which we are studying, Jesus invited all who were thirsty to come to Him and slake their thirst. He concluded His invitation by adding: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water."

Immediately the question arises as to what scripture does the Lord Jesus refer? Some commentators think that He is referring to Isaiah 44:1-5. Although this interpretation is possible, it is quite unlikely. The imagery is entirely different from that which Jesus used. For this reason alone I have my serious doubts as to His referring to the Isaiah passage.

The more probable explanation may be found in the following direction. At the Feast of Tabernacles Israel was celebrating the Lord's provision for His people during the forty years of wilderness wandering. At the Feast of Tabernacles everything that would remind one of the wilderness experiences was enacted in some way. One excellent commentator suggests that probably someone read the account of the rock from which gushed forth water: "And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank and their cattle" (Num. 20:11). Psalm 78:15,16 spoke thus of the water of which Israel partook during the wilderness wandering:

"15 He clave rocks in the wilderness,
     And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.
16 He brought streams also out of the rock,
     And caused waters to run down like rivers."

Note in this quotation that there were rocks which were cleft so that waters came forth. In addition to these rocks of which the writer in verse 15 was speaking, there was the one which in verse 16 is called "the rock." Streams of water came gushing forth from it. Probably this rock was the one to which Paul referred in I Corinthians 10:1-4: "For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and did all eat the same spiritual food; 4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ."

This rock symbolized Christ; the waters flowing from Him likewise symbolized something. Jesus explained that the waters coming forth from the rock was typical of the Holy Spirit which He would send to those who believed on Him. "But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you" (John 14:26). Here we see that God the Father in the name of the Son would send the Holy Spirit to those who would believe on Him. This verse is in perfect alignment with the teaching of Jesus on this occasion.

Differences of Opinions Regarding Jesus

According to verses 40-42 there was a difference of opinion regarding Jesus. Some of the people who heard Him said, "This is of a truth the prophet" (v. 40). The prophet to whom the reference is here made is the prophet that is promised in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. This prophet is none other than the Messiah Himself. Thus those people who held this view were correct in their opinion regarding Jesus and His being the prophet promised by Moses. Others said, "This is the Christ." They too were right. Jesus was the prophet promised and also the Messiah of Israel. Still others who saw Him said, "What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?" They asked this question so as to express doubt. They did not believe that the Messiah would come out of Galilee. The reason for their position was that the prophet Micah had told where Messiah would be born, namely, in Bethlehem of Judaea. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea. Later, after His flight into Egypt, He returned to Israel and settled down in Nazareth of Galilee. There arose, therefore, a division among the people concerning whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. At this time those who were hostile to Him would have taken Him if they had dared to do so (v. 44).

The Report of the Officers Regarding Christ

Officials in Jerusalem, consisting of the chief priests and the Pharisees, sent a group of servants to take Jesus. When they arrived on the scene and heard Him, they feared to lay their hands upon Him; because there was something about Him different from all other men. He spoke as no other man spoke. These servants came back to the authorities and reported that they had not taken Him because He was a man different from all others.

The Pharisees, in a reprimanding way said to them: "Are ye also led astray? Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees? But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed” (vv. 47, 48). The leaders seemed to be suspicious of certain of their members, fearing that some of them might be secret believers in Christ. There was one of their number who doubtless was a secret believer. He was Nicodemus, about whom we read: "Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them), 51 Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?" (vv. 50, 51). From what we learn regarding Nicodemus, he was an honest, conscientious, sincere man who wanted truth regardless of where it was to be found. It seems quite evident that Nicodemus was searching for more light when he came and had an interview with Jesus by night (John 3:1-15). It is possible that he came by night because of fear of his associates. This explanation is possible but it does not seem to be a probable one. It appears that Nicodemus was an earnest truth-seeker who had the courage of his convictions to stand upon what he believed was right. On this occasion of which we are studying, he certainly had boldness and courage to take the position that he did in regard to Jesus. His speech was short and to the point. He knew that his associates had already judged Jesus and had passed sentence upon Him. He then asked, "Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?"

In reply the opposition said to Nicodemus, "Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee raiseth no prophet." They were asking Nicodemus if he were of Galilee, flinging a slur at him. They asked if any prophet arises out of Galilee. Yes. Hosea did, and Jonah likewise. Unfortunately, the people of the southern kingdom, and especially those of Jerusalem, thought that they had a monopoly upon the grace of God and that they were superior to those who lived in the northern kingdom. They looked down therefore upon and despised them. Thus we find this thought reflected in their language to Nicodemus.

The Woman Taken in Adultery

The next day the early morning worshipers gathered around Jesus who sat down and began teaching them. Naturally, because of His speaking on the last day of the Feast, the people were interested to know what He had to say. Thus they flocked around him. While He was teaching the people, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been taken in adultery and put her in the midst of the group. Then they said, "Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?" (John 8:3-5). Those who brought the woman were not interested in a pure, holy life as seems evident. They were trying to move Jesus to say something whereby they could accuse Him—by so doing they hoped to be able to bring a charge against Him of disloyalty to God, Moses, and the Jewish people. That this interpretation is correct is seen in verse 6: "And this they say trying him, that they might have whereof to accuse him."

Knowing their sinister and evil desires Jesus "Stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground." This occasion is the only one on which Jesus ever wrote, so far as the Scriptures are concerned. He may have written on other occasions, but no record has been preserved regarding what He wrote. Many conjectures have been made as to what He probably wrote. Possibly He wrote something that was in the law and that touched upon the case in hand.

Being determined to draw something forth from His mouth whereby they might accuse Him, they continued asking Him in regard to His opinion concerning this woman. Finally, Jesus "lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her." In this connection the question arises as to what Jesus meant by the statement, "he that is without sin among you"? The suggestion has been made, and with great probability, that Jesus meant the sin of committing adultery. Or He could have meant any sin. Hence we cannot determine the exact meaning. Hence we would do well to hold our peace on this point.

At the mouth of two or three witnesses, according to the law of Moses, every word should be established. Those who bore the testimony that condemned an accused person to death were to cast the first stones. The passage to which Jesus referred is Deuteronomy 17:7. When anyone consults the context, he sees that the special thing concerning which Moses was speaking was the case of any man or woman who would depart from Jehovah and would turn to other gods. If in a court trial, it was established beyond peradventure that such a man or woman of Israel had departed from God and had turned to other gods, then those whose testimony condemned the accused person were to cast the first stone in the execution of the death penalty. Following those who cast the first stone were the people present, who were likewise to stone the condemned one to death. A similar case is found in Deuteronomy 13:1-11.

According to John 8:8 Jesus again stooped and was writing with His finger on the ground. Then the accusers of the woman, one by one, began to leave. Jesus and the woman were left alone. In all probability the accusers of the woman were guilty of the same thing of which they accused her.

Then Jesus lifted up Himself and said to the woman, "Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn thee?" The woman replied that no one had done so. Jesus said that neither did He condemn her, instructing her to go and henceforth sin no more—that is, never be guilty of this sin again. It was the love and compassion which Jesus had for fallen humanity that He thus spoke to this woman and did not condemn her. He knew the circumstances and understood how frail man is and how sinful is his nature. He recognized that this woman was bound by sin and urged her to cease her sinful, wicked life.

God is holy. And He commands His people to be holy the same as He. One cannot carry out this command except by the power and the grace of God. Paul said that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Apart from Christ he could do nothing, but in connection with Christ and the Holy Spirit one can live a victorious life. May the Lord enable us to live day by day for Him and for His glory.