But now I wonder.
The latter part of v. 4 is ei tauta poieis ("if you do these things"). I was
somewhat surprised to see a first class conditional statement here, I was
expecting a 3rd or 4th. If my grammars are correct, a 1st class conditional
statement shows that the speaker believes that the condition or statement is
actual or possible. Thus having the idea of a more concrete "since" rather
than a somewhat nebulous "if." Certainly the brothers at least heard of
Jesus' miracles and probably even witnessed one or two (perhaps in John 2 at
the wedding). If so, then the 1st class statement shows that they actually
believed that Jesus was performing miracles.
In John 2:23-25; 4:45; 6:2, 26, etc., the condemnation is made that many
"believed" in Him simply because of the signs they saw. IOW, it was not a
genuine faith but superficial. Is it possible that His brothers were in this
category as well and that their comments to Him in John 7:3-4 were not
sarcastic at all but their attempt to help Him gain some publicity and
gather a larger following (especially after the "diaster" of chapter 6 where
many left Him)?
Any insights?
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| Jim Brooks
Pastor, Grace Community Church
PO Box 537
Elma, WA 98541
(360) 482-3528
jbrooks@techline.com
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For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
Proverbs 26:20
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