JOHN: 7:24
Most people understand the context of this quote from the seventh chapter of John, but there's a really interesting story behind it. Jesus said this while preaching publicly at a Synagogue in Galilee. At the time, there was a lot of buzz about Jesus. Some said, (12) ..."He is a good man." Others said, "No, he deceives the people." Religious leaders hated Jesus, as he continued to gain influence. On this day, when he prached, he amazed the crowds and infuriated Jewish leaders who wondered, (15) ..."How did this man get such learning without having studied?" Jesus answered by humbly stating, (16) ..."My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me." Jesus asked the leaders why were they not obeying the laws of Moses and why they wanted to kill him? Also, because he had aggravated the leaders by healing a non-Jewish man, he asked, (23) ..."Why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?" (24) "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make it a right judgment". You see, Jewish men were circumcised. Non-Jews were not (thus the word, "whole" in verse 23). Even in the face of great danger, Jesus courageously called out the pompous religious leaders for their arrogant and non-inclusive ways and stood up for his values.