Rabbinic School

Rabbinic school studies

JOHN 7 COMMENTARY ◄
John 7:10-14 Feast of Tabernacles

John 7:15-21 Rabbinic School

JOHN 7:15 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know Scriptures, not having studied?”

What kind of study were the Jews referring to in John 7:15?
Studying at a rabbinic school.

What did studying at a rabbinic school consist of?
Boys aspiring to become a rabbi had to memorize the first five books of the Old Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - by thirteen years of age, then be tested by a rabbi for their memorized knowledge. Those who passed the test studied under the rabbi, who was typically associated with a recognized rabbinic school. Once they learned all that the rabbi could teach them, their rabbinic studies were deemed completed and they were ordained as rabbis with the authority to have and teach their own disciples.

What do the Jews mean by “Scriptures” (John 7:15)?
The Old Testament.

Are they saying that what Jesus was teaching about the Old Testament was in error?
No, they actually imply that His teaching is correct. But since no rabbi schooled Jesus, they are having an issue finding the source of His His teaching.

JOHN 7:16-19 16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak from Myself. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19 Didn't Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

From whom did the doctrine that Jesus is teaching originate?
Directly from God the Father “who sent” (John 7:16) Jesus.

To whom will that be apparent?
“Anyone” who truly “wills to do” God the Father's “will” (John 7:17).

What “law” (John 7:19) did Moses deliver to the Jews?
God's Ten Commandments, including the sixth: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

What is ironic about the Jews raising questions about Jesus' doctrine and background?
Murder plotters discussing theology.

Who is Jesus seeking to glorify?
God the Father “who sent Him” (John 7:18).

What does a preacher who “seeks his own glory” (John 7:18) do today?
Deviates from God's doctrine and “speaks from himself” (John 7:18).

JOHN 7:20-21 20 The crowd answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” 21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.

Why did the crowd think that Jesus had “a demon” (John 7:20)?
Unaware of their leaders' murder plot against Jesus, they thought He must be paranoid or possessed for saying that there was a plot to murder Him.

What “one work” (John 7:21) made them marvel?
The last time Jesus was in Jerusalem, He had healed by the pool of Bethesda a man “who had had an ailment thirty-eight years” (John 5:5). Because this healing had taken place on a Sabbath, they had been angry with Him in their belief that He had broken the Sabbath.