After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. (2) Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. (3) His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. (4) For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. (5) For neither did his brethren believe in him. (6) Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is alway ready. (7) The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. (9) When be had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
The feast of tabernacles was one of the three great Jewish festivals in the Church. Leviticus 23:39; Deuteronomy 16:16. The brethren of Jesus here spoken of, were not his brethren in grace, neither in nature, for Joseph was not the real, but the reputed father of Christ. Neither is it certain that Mary had any other child. See Matthew 12:46 and Commentary. And those who are called brethren of Christ, were the sons of Alpheus, the brother of Joseph, and according to Jewish customs, from being brought up with Christ were called brethren, and these were all believers; and James, and Simon, and Judas, were of the number of the Apostles. But I pass over the consideration of these things, as of lesser import, to attend to what is infinitely more interesting, the Person, and Work, and Offices of the Lord Jesus. This chapter is very highly interesting on this point.