The Gospel According To JohnSýnishorn

Feast of Tabernacles: John 7:1-10:21

The fifth section of Jesus’ public ministry surrounds his observance of the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1–10:21.

In John 7:1-52, John recorded how Jesus observed and fulfilled the intention of the Feast of Tabernacles. 

The Feast of Tabernacles was a commemoration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and of his provision of water in the wilderness. It also celebrated God’s continuing provision of rain for the harvest. And it looked forward to the day of God’s final deliverance of his people. During the feast, the priest illustrated God’s gracious provision by pouring out water around the altar of the temple. Using this imagery of water, Jesus boldly claimed that he was the one who could give them “living water.” 

In John 8:12-59, Jesus addressed true sonship by calling himself the Son of God. He even denied that unbelieving Jews were legitimate sons of Abraham. 

In 9:1-41, Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth. In response, suspicious Pharisees carefully investigate what Jesus has done. Their unbelief prompted Jesus to claim that the Pharisees were actually the ones who were blind, even though they claimed to see. 

And Jesus presented himself as the Good Shepherd in 10:1-21. In contrast to the Pharisees, Jesus was the Good Shepherd because he was willing to lay down his life for his sheep.