The time was fixed as when the Feast of Tabernacles was approaching, setting the time for Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the events in Judea. The feast was a seven-day gathering and the closing religious gathering of the year, one of three annual assemblies for which the Jewish people were required to assemble in Jerusalem. It drew worshipers to Jerusalem from Palestine, other lands, and many regions, bringing people of every age and means with gifts of thanksgiving. The city was decorated with greenery until it looked like a forest. Its purpose was to remind the people of God's goodness, mercy, and care and to prompt thanksgiving for His goodness and the year's harvest.
As the feast approached, Jesus' brothers, also described as disciples, prepared to attend and urged Him to go to Jerusalem for the national gathering, to show Himself publicly and present His claims as the Messiah before the people, the rulers, and the religious leaders. Since His healing at Bethesda, Jesus had avoided these Jerusalem gatherings because of hostility from the Jews, had missed several of them, and had confined His work to Galilee to avoid needless conflict. Hostility and opposition in Judea and Jerusalem made going dangerous, so that being recognized could lead to arrest or death.
He therefore went to Jerusalem secretly, privately, and quietly rather than openly with His family or the traveling crowds, avoiding attention and withdrawing from places where an outbreak might arise. His arrival was so quiet as not to draw attention, provoke the authorities, or let a mob hinder His work before its appointed time. At the feast, people from many regions hoped to see Jesus, and inquiries about Him stirred widespread discussion. Jesus was already making Himself known through teaching and healing, though those urging Him to appear publicly did not recognize how He was doing so.
At these yearly festival gatherings, where multitudes were absorbed in outward ceremony, He spoke of heavenly things and brought eternity into view.
The time was fixed as when the Feast of Tabernacles was approaching, setting the time for Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the events in Judea. The feast was a seven-day gathering and the closing religious gathering of the year, one of three annual assemblies for which the Jewish people were required to assemble in Jerusalem. It drew worshipers to Jerusalem from Palestine, other lands, and many regions, bringing people of every age and means with gifts of thanksgiving. The city was decorated with greenery until it looked like a forest. Its purpose was to remind the people of God's goodness, mercy, and care and to prompt thanksgiving for His goodness and the year's harvest.
As the feast approached, Jesus' brothers, also described as disciples, prepared to attend and urged Him to go to Jerusalem for the national gathering, to show Himself publicly and present His claims as the Messiah before the people, the rulers, and the religious leaders. Since His healing at Bethesda, Jesus had avoided these Jerusalem gatherings because of hostility from the Jews, had missed several of them, and had confined His work to Galilee to avoid needless conflict. Hostility and opposition in Judea and Jerusalem made going dangerous, so that being recognized could lead to arrest or death.
He therefore went to Jerusalem secretly, privately, and quietly rather than openly with His family or the traveling crowds, avoiding attention and withdrawing from places where an outbreak might arise. His arrival was so quiet as not to draw attention, provoke the authorities, or let a mob hinder His work before its appointed time. At the feast, people from many regions hoped to see Jesus, and inquiries about Him stirred widespread discussion. Jesus was already making Himself known through teaching and healing, though those urging Him to appear publicly did not recognize how He was doing so.
At these yearly festival gatherings, where multitudes were absorbed in outward ceremony, He spoke of heavenly things and brought eternity into view.