John 7:1-13

Jesus In Danger (John 7:1).

It is now made clear that at this stage Jesus was under constant threat of death from the authorities in Judea and Jerusalem, so much so that He was unable to go there openly. It is, of course, true to say in their defence that His opponents did have a responsibility to root out false prophets and to ensure that rabblerousers did not cause trouble in Jerusalem and Judea by stirring up fanatical followers and bringing the wrath of the Romans on them. It was something that happened only too often in those turbulent times. And it was that that provided them with an excuse for their actions. They wanted public quiet at all costs. But their attitude was in fact totally unjustified in the case of Jesus, as will be made clear at His trial, and the real reason for their opposition is revealed to be because He was exposing their own teaching, and was proclaiming ideas which they saw as heresy (e.g. His declaration to men that ‘there sins were forgiven' on His authority (Mark 2:1) and His claims to be more than just a prophet). Thus they were ready to seize Him if He showed His face in Judea and Jerusalem, something of which Jesus was well aware.