John 7. The Feast of Tabernacles.
John 7:1-9. The Remonstrance of the Brethren. This incident is often now used to support the view that in the original draft of the gospel no visit to Jerusalem before this was recorded. Excision and rearrangement can, of course, accomplish anything, but a more natural history of the ministry can be written on the lines of the gospel as it stands. The connexion of this chapter with John 7:5 has been mentioned. John 7:1 is the natural sequel of work in Jerusalem or Judæ a. The Lord's brethren share the unfavourable judgment, if not the disillusionment, of the crowd. If He has any claims to be Messiah they must be decided at the capital, not by hiding in Galilee. Jesus, knowing the rulers-' attitude from recent experience, answers that His time is not yet. He would only meet the reformer's fate. They can go safely. He must not go up to this Feast. The difficulty felt at His sudden change of mind led to the addition of yet (John 7:8).