The Jews' Question About Jesus' Education in John 7
During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus taught in the temple, prompting astonishment from the Jews who questioned his education [6, 9]. John 7:15 (LEB) records their reaction: “Then the Jews were astonished, saying, ‘How does this man ⌞possess knowledge⌟, because he has not been taught?’” [2]. This question highlights a significant point of contention regarding Jesus' authority and the source of his wisdom.
The context of this passage is Jesus' ministry in Galilee, leading up to his attendance at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem [6]. While some people believed in him, others were divided in their opinions, with some even seeking to kill him [6]. Jesus had intentionally kept a low profile before the feast, and his sudden appearance and teaching in the temple surprised many [9].
The Jews' question, "How does this man know letters?" or "How does this man possess knowledge?" (LEB), refers to Jesus' apparent lack of formal rabbinic training [2, 5]. In Jewish society, education, particularly in the Law, was highly valued, and children were taught the laws as a primary focus [3]. Josephus notes that Joshua, for example, was "instructed in all those kinds of learning which concerned the laws and God himself" [4]. The Jews expected teachers to have studied under recognized rabbis, and Jesus did not fit this mold [7]. The term "letters" (Greek: grammata) in this context refers to the sacred writings, the Scriptures [5]. The astonishment stemmed from Jesus' profound understanding and authoritative teaching of these texts, despite not having attended the established schools or having been discipled by a known master [5, 7].
The implication of their question was that Jesus' knowledge must have come from an illegitimate source, or that he was self-taught, which would have been seen as a deficiency by the religious authorities [7]. John Gill notes that the Jews "marvelled, both at the matter, and manner of his doctrine; it was such, as never man spake; his words were so gracious, and there were such truth and evidence in them, and they were delivered with such power and authority, that they were astonished at them" [5].
This incident underscores a recurring theme in John's Gospel: the misunderstanding and rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders. They often judged by outward appearances rather than by the truth of his words or the divine origin of his teaching [10]. Later, the Jews would accuse Jesus of blasphemy for making himself the Son of God, a charge they believed warranted death according to their law [1, 8]. The question in John 7:15 foreshadows these deeper theological conflicts, as it touches upon the source of Jesus' authority and wisdom, which Jesus himself clarifies by stating that his teaching is not his own but from the one who sent him (John 7:16). Augustine, in his homilies on John, emphasizes that Jesus' teaching was from God, aligning with prophetic statements that "they shall all be taught of God" [11]. This divine instruction, rather than human schooling, was the true source of Jesus' profound knowledge.
Sources
- John “The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” -- John 19:7”
- John “John 7:15 (LEB) — Then the Jews were astonished, saying, “How does this man ⌞possess knowledge⌟, because he has not been taught?””
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 7: so there may always be within their minds that intention of the laws which they have despised and broken, and have thereby been the causes of their own mischief. Let the children also learn the laws, as the first thing they are taught, which will be the best thing they can be taught, and will be the cause of their future felicity. 13. Let every one commemorate before God the benefits which he bestowed upon them at their deliverance out of the land of Egypt, and this twice every day, both when the day begins and when the hour of s”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 7, section 2: the army, if they should at any time stand in need of such a one; and this was done by the command of God, that to him the care of the public should be committed. Now Joshua had been instructed in all those kinds of learning which concerned the laws and God himself, and Moses had been his instructor. 3. At this time it was that the two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, abounded in a multitude of cattle, as well as in all other kinds of prosperity; whence they had a meeting, and in a body came and besought ”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 7:14: And the Jews marvelled,.... Both at the matter, and manner of his doctrine; it was such, as never man spake; his words were so gracious, and there were such truth and evidence in them, and they were delivered with such power and authority, that they were astonished at them: saying, how knoweth this man letters? or "the Scriptures", as the Arabic and Persic versions render it; which are called "holy letters", Ti2 3:15; according to which, the sense is, that they were surprised at his knowledge of the Scriptures, that he should be conversant with them, and be able to in”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 7 (introduction): Jesus continues in Galilee, Joh 7:1. He is desired to go to the feast of tabernacles, Joh 7:2-5. His answer, Joh 7:6-9. He goes up, and the Jews seek him at the feast, Joh 7:10-13. He teaches in the temple, Joh 7:14-24. The Jews are confounded by his preaching, Joh 7:25-27. He continues to teach; they wish to slay him, Joh 7:28-30. Many of the people believe on him, Joh 7:31. The Pharisees murmur, and our Lord reasons with them, Joh 7:32-36. His preaching on the last day of the feast, Joh 7:37-39. The people are greatly divided in their opinions concerning”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 7:15: 7:15 The leaders wanted Jesus to show his credentials. Jesus had not been trained under a rabbi but was taught by his heavenly Father (cp. Peter and John, Acts 4:13; contrast Paul, Acts 22:3).”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 19:7: The Jews answered him,.... Finding they could make nothing of the charge of sedition against him, and that Pilate could not be prevailed upon to condemn him to death upon that score, they try another method, and charge him with blasphemy; which, if the other had succeeded, they would have concealed; because this, if proved, according to their law, would not have brought on him the kind of death they were desirous of: we have a law; meaning the law of Moses, which they had received by his hands from God: and by our law he ought to die; referring either to the law con”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 7 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. Christ's declining for some time to appear publicly in Judea (Joh 7:1). II. His design to go up to Jerusalem at the feast of tabernacles, and his discourse with his kindred in Galilee concerning his going up to this feast (Joh 7:2-13). III. His preaching publicly in the temple at that feast. 1. In the midst of the feast (Joh 7:14, Joh 7:15). We have his discourse with the Jews, (1.) Concerning his doctrine (Joh 7:16-18). (2.) Concerning the crime of sabbath-breaking laid to his charge (Joh 7:19-24). (3.) Concerning himself, bo”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER VII, 19-24. (part 6): to the truth, ye will condemn neither Moses nor me; and when ye know the truth ye will know me, because I am the Truth. 7. It requires great labor in this world, brethren to get clear of the vice which the Lord has noted in this place, so as not to judge by appearance, but to keep right judgment. The Lord, indeed, admonished the Jews, but He warned us also; them He convicted, us He instructed; them He reproved, us He encouraged. Let us not imagine that this was not said to us, simply because we were not there at that tim”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER VI. 41-59. (part 6): No man cometh unto me except the Father that sent me draw him," what did He subjoin? "And I will raise him up in the last day." I render unto him what he loves, what he hopes for: he will see what, not as yet by seeing, he has believed; he shall eat that which he hungers after; he shall be filled with that which he thirsts after. Where? In the resurrection of the dead; for "I will raise him up on the last day." 7. For it is written in the prophets, "And they shall all be taught of God." Why have I said this, O Jews? The F”