King James Version

What Does John 7:23 Mean?

John 7:23 in the King James Version says “If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, becaus...” — study this verse from John chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? that: or, without breaking the law of Moses”

John 7:23 · King James Version


Context

21

Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

22

Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

23

If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? that: or, without breaking the law of Moses

24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

25

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Jesus completes His argument. If circumcision (affecting one body part) proceeds on Sabbath 'that the law...not be broken,' then healing an entire person (holon anthrōpon hugiē) should be celebrated, not condemned. 'Every whit whole' emphasizes complete restoration—not partial but total healing. The question 'are ye angry' (cholate) exposes their misplaced indignation. They're zealous for Sabbath tradition but indifferent to human suffering. Reformed theology sees here Christ's priorities: people over protocol, mercy over ceremony, substance over shadow.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Pharisaic tradition had developed complex Sabbath rules while Jesus emphasized Sabbath's redemptive purpose. The healed man had been paralyzed 38 years (John 5:5)—his healing wasn't life-threatening emergency but compassionate mercy. Jesus deliberately healed on Sabbath multiple times (Luke 13:10-17, 14:1-6, John 9:14) to challenge legalism and reveal God's heart. Early Christians wrestled with Sabbath observance as gospel spread to Gentiles (Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's Sabbath ministry reveal God's priorities?
  2. What modern religious traditions might obscure biblical mercy and compassion?
  3. How do we balance respect for tradition with faithfulness to Scripture's heart?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
εἰ1 of 21

“If”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

περιτομὴν2 of 21

“circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

λαμβάνει3 of 21

“receive”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἄνθρωπον4 of 21

“a man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐν5 of 21

“on”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

σαββάτῳ6 of 21

“the sabbath day”

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

ἵνα7 of 21
G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ8 of 21
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

λυθῇ9 of 21

“be broken”

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

ὁ10 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμος11 of 21

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

Μωσέως,12 of 21

“of Moses”

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

ἐμοὶ13 of 21

“at me”

G1698

to me

χολᾶτε14 of 21

“are ye angry”

G5520

to be bilious, i.e., (by implication) irritable (enraged, "choleric")

ὅτι15 of 21

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὅλον16 of 21

“every whit”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

ἄνθρωπον17 of 21

“a man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ὑγιῆ18 of 21

“whole”

G5199

healthy, i.e., well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine)

ἐποίησα19 of 21

“I have made”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐν20 of 21

“on”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

σαββάτῳ21 of 21

“the sabbath day”

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 7:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 7:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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