John 7:35
“Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The crowd misunderstands Jesus's words, speculating that he intends to travel to the Jewish diaspora or teach among the Gentiles.
Context
The crowd continues to wrestle with Jesus's cryptic words in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. They lack the framework to understand his departure through resurrection and ascension. They think in categories of earthly travel.
What Does John 7:35 Mean?
The listeners grope for meaning. His words about going where they cannot follow puzzle them. They construct theories from the pieces available. Perhaps he means to leave Judea entirely. Perhaps he intends to go to the diaspora, the scattered Jewish communities throughout the Mediterranean world. Perhaps he will even teach the Gentiles. The irony is profound: in trying to interpret his words, they stumble toward a truth. The Gospel will indeed reach Gentiles; the Word will go forth to all nations. Yet they imagine this as departure, as abandonment of them. They do not yet see that his ascension opens a door they could not have expected.
Our interpretations of God's will often miss the mark, yet even our confusion can point toward his truth. We are invited to listen more carefully, to ask rather than assume. When we do not understand God's direction, we might pause and ask ourselves: are we hearing what he is actually saying, or what we fear or expect? The disciples eventually understood. So too we are invited into a deeper hearing.
In the Original Language
diaspora (διασπορά), 'the scattered ones' - the term for Jewish communities living outside the land of Israel; the word appears in James 1:1 to describe scattered believers (spiritual descendants of Israel).
Application
When God's plans extend beyond our understanding, we do well to remain humble and open. We cannot fully grasp his intention by logic alone; we must wait upon his revelation and trust that his purposes are larger and more generous than our categories allow.