John 7: 27-28a
“”But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from.”‘
Over and over again we have noted that Jesus speaks from a different point of view than the rest of us born on earth. He speaks as one who has already been to heaven, who existed before Abraham, and who knows God personally. Yet in this passage Jesus says, “… you know where I am from,” meaning that they knew he was from Nazareth in Galilee. For once he speaks as an earthling instead of someone from Another Place.
Oddly, the context for his response is even more restrictive than just being “human.” He was actually born in Bethlehem, but nobody seems to know that. He had lived in Egypt as a child. No one talks about that, either. So when he says, “… you know where I am from,” he is speaking in a very limited sense.
Q: What did Jesus mean by agreeing with the crowd about knowing where he was from?
I think Jesus is calling them out. He has shown the signs, spoken the words, lived righteously, and fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah. They should know he is the messiah, but they don’t get it because they don’t truly believe in the Father. Their problem is a hard and unbelieving heart.
Nathan is right. OT Prophecy below was written and available to all to study and look forward to. The three kings from another land knew, Herod knew, all who claimed to represent God had access to the truth. They knew!
1. Promised Through the Seed of Abraham:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 22:18
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1
2. Promised Through Isaac:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 21:12
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:34
3. Out of the Tribe of Judah:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:33
4. Born in the Family of Jesse:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 11:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:32
5. Born in the House of David (King):
• Old Testament Prophecy: Jeremiah 23:5-6
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:31
6. Born in Bethlehem:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:4-7
7. Born of a virgin:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:18
8. Worshipped and Presented gifts by Kings:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 72:10
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:11
9. Worshipped by Shepherds:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 72:9
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:9
10. Weeping for the Children
• Old Testament Prophecy: Jeremiah 31:15
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16
11. Flight to Egypt
• Old Testament Prophecy: Hosea 11:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:13-14
12. He will be called Lord:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 110:1
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:11
13. He is the Son of God:
• Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 2:7
• New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:22 (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11)
Ron –
Amazing!! A whole Bible study outline!!! Thanks! 🙂
I agree with Ron and Nathan. The prophecies were there and they knew them. They did not see it because they did not want to… I hope that does not describe me too.