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Peter was obviously voicing the belief and feelings of the others, except one, showing
indeed that they were true disciples who were prepared to go on with the Lord whatever
the cost. They had been chosen (elected) by Him. The exception was Judas Iscariot and
the Lord describes him as a devil, but "adversary" would be a more suitable description
of him, who finally gave himself over to Satan. This is the first mention of him here and
he is identified as the one who was to turn traitor. So also with the other Evangelists
(Matt. 10: 4; Mark 3: 19; Luke 6: 16). The shadow of this terrible act was cast before.
Twelve months later it actually happened.
No.13.
7: 1 - 44.
pp. 132 - 137
"After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judaea
because the Jews there were waiting to take His life."
The Lord Jesus had been avoiding Judaea because, as He expressed it, "His hour had
not yet come" and there was no point in putting Himself into danger before that crucial
time arrived. The religious leaders had been planning to kill Him for some while (5: 18).
This avoidance of Jerusalem was puzzling to the Lord's brothers (or rather
half-brothers). Although they did not believe in Him (7: 5) until after His resurrection,
yet they felt that if He really was the Messiah, or a great leader, He should be in the
capital city or thereabout, where all could see His miracles and hear His teaching. They
said to Him:
"You ought to leave here and go to Judaea, so that your disciples may see the miracles
you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing
these things, show yourself to the world. For even His own brothers did not believe in
Him" (7: 3-5).
Verse 2 tells us that the Feast of Tabernacles was near. This was the seventh and last
of the Jewish yearly feasts. It was the time of harvest, a time of rejoicing, the end of their
agricultural and religious year. It was a time of pilgrimage from the outlying parts of
Palestine and also for Hebrews living abroad. All made a great effort to attend the chief
festivals at Jerusalem.
With such a gathering of people, the Lord's brothers evidently thought it would be a
fine opportunity for Him to do something spectacular there to impress the people. Many
thought that the Messiah when He came would perform such an act. What they did not
realize was that outward signs meant little without appreciation of the inward truth they
were intended to convey.
It appeared incredible to them that the Messiah should deliberately avoid publicity,
especially after the wonderful signs He had given in Galilee.