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Commentaries
English
John
  
10But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.11The Jews were looking for him at the feast and saying, "Where is he?"12And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man," others said, "No, he is leading the people astray."13Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.


Every year the Jews celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles joyfully. From the branches of trees they make bowers to recline in, either on the roofs of houses or by the wayside. People visit one another and enjoy tasteful meals. This is a feast of thanksgiving to God for providing them with abundant crops. These bowers and tents reminded them of their passage through the wilderness: They had no abiding city on earth.
Jesus did not dwell on the jollies of that feast, for he was being persecuted along with his disciples. He let his own brothers depart. Later he went to Jerusalem, and bid farewell to Galilee, his earthly home. The decisive moment had arrived, the climax of history – his death for our salvation from divine wrath.
Jews had differing opinions on Jesus. Some regarded him as coming from God, a good man and a reformer. Others saw him as leading folk astray and deserving of death; whose presence would bring God’s wrath upon them and spoil their festivities. The Sanhedrin had issued the order and broadcast it to the people, hoping his followers would hesitate to follow him. After that, no one dared speak openly of Jesus.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your humility and obedience to God. Free us from worldly attitudes, so that your Spirit may fill us. Keep us from evil ways, and heal us in the inner self, to serve you as you deserve.
Question
Why does the world hate Jesus?