John 7:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus points out that they circumcise on the sabbath so that the law of circumcision, given through the fathers, is not broken.
What Does John 7:22 Mean?
Jesus begins his defense from their own practice. The law required circumcision on a boy's eighth day (Leviticus 12:3), a sign older than Sinai, given to Abraham and the fathers (Genesis 17:10-12). When the eighth day fell on a sabbath, they performed it anyway — and rightly.
So the law itself already ranked covenant mercy above sabbath stillness; the two commands were never truly at war. Jesus reasons with his accusers from the Scriptures they revere, honoring the law while exposing their selective reading of it. He does not dismiss the sabbath but uncovers its heart, preparing the conclusion he will draw in the next verse.
John 7:22 in the Original Language
peritome (περιτομή), 'circumcision' -- the covenant sign given to Abraham and his descendants.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 7:22
What does John 7:22 mean?
Jesus points out that they circumcise on the sabbath so that the law of circumcision, given through the fathers, is not broken.