King James Version
What Does John 7:43 Mean?
“So there was a division among the people because of him.”
Context
41
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43
So there was a division among the people because of him.
44
And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(43) **There was a division among the people.**—The word for division is our word “schism.” It is found in the earlier Gospels in one instance only, “the rent is made worse” (Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21). This is nearer to the older meaning of the word, which is used, for example, of the hoofs of animals, and the leaves of trees. St. John uses it only to mark this rent into two parties of the Jewish multitude, here and in John 9:16; John 10:19. In St. Paul it is used of the divisions of the Church at Corinth (1Corinthians 1:10; 1Corinthians 11:18; 1Corinthians 12:25). The use of the word in its ethical sense may belong in some special way to Ephesus, for only in writings from this city do we find it in Biblical Greek. Later, both the word and the fact denoted by it passed into the history of the Church.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 7:43 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 7:43
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge