John 7:14
ESV
About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.
NIV
Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.
NASB
But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple area, and began to teach.
CSB
When the festival was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.
NLT
Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.
KJV
Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
NKJV
Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
What does John 7:14 mean?
The Festival of Booths lasts seven days. Jesus' appearance in the temple is after at least three days of silence. There, He once again amazes those in attendance with His knowledge (Luke 2:41–52). Key to this amazement is their knowledge that Jesus has not studied in any of the rabbinic schools (John 7:15). This would be like a person who has never attended a university discussing high-level physics with a group of professors. This surprise is also tied to the arrogance of the Pharisees. They felt their education and knowledge made them superior to others, and especially to someone like Jesus. They are convinced that their knowledge means they are obedient to God.Jesus will clarify that the exact opposite is true. In fact, a person's willingness to obey comes before their ability to understand truth (John 7:17). Those who "refuse" to believe (John 5:39–40) will not come to the truth, no matter how much knowledge they have.
