King James Version

What Does John 7:6 Mean?

John 7:6 in the King James Version says “Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.” — study this verse from John chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.”

John 7:6 · KJV

Context

4

For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly . If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

5

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

6

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

7

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

8

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. Jesus corrects His brothers' counsel by emphasizing divine timing. 'My time' (ho kairos ho emos) refers to His appointed hour for public revelation, suffering, and glorification. 'Not yet come' (oupō parestin) indicates the time exists but hasn't arrived—God has appointed the schedule. The contrast 'but your time is alway ready' (ho de kairos ho humeteros pantote estin hetoimos) highlights difference between Jesus and ordinary humans. The brothers can go to Jerusalem anytime without divine consultation because they aren't fulfilling redemptive history's climax. Jesus operates on the Father's timetable for salvation history. Reformed theology emphasizes God's sovereignty over time—history unfolds according to divine decree, and Christ's work occurred at the precise appointed moment (Galatians 4:4: 'when the fulness of the time was come').

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of Christ's 'hour' or 'time' (hora, kairos) threads through John's Gospel. Before the hour, Jesus acts with sovereign freedom (2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20). When the hour arrives, He moves decisively toward the cross (12:23, 13:1, 17:1). This demonstrates Jesus's control even when facing death—He wasn't victim but victor, laying down His life voluntarily at the appointed time (10:18). First-century Jews expected Messiah to appear suddenly, but God's timing often confounds human expectations. The early church learned to trust God's timing—persecution, delays in Christ's return, setbacks in ministry all occur within God's sovereign schedule. Church history proves God's perfect timing—the gospel spread when Roman roads, common Greek language, Jewish diaspora, and religious hunger converged.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's sovereign timing affect our impatience with circumstances?
  2. What is the significance of Jesus moving toward the cross at precisely the appointed hour?
  3. How should awareness of God's perfect timing shape our planning and decision-making?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
λέγει1 of 19

“said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

οὖν2 of 19

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτοῖς3 of 19

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ4 of 19
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς5 of 19

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Ὁ6 of 19
G3588

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

καιρὸς7 of 19

“time”

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ὁ8 of 19
G3588

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

ἐμὸς9 of 19

“My”

G1699

my

οὔπω10 of 19

“not yet”

G3768

not yet

πάρεστιν11 of 19

“come”

G3918

to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property

ὁ12 of 19
G3588

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

δὲ13 of 19

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

καιρὸς14 of 19

“time”

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ὁ15 of 19
G3588

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

ὑμέτερος16 of 19

“your”

G5212

yours, i.e., pertaining to you

πάντοτέ17 of 19

“alway”

G3842

every when, i.e., at all times

ἐστιν18 of 19

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἕτοιμος19 of 19

“ready”

G2092

adjusted, i.e., ready

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 7:6 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 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 7:8John 2:4John 7:30John 17:1John 13:1John 8:20

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