Jan Polack (d. 1519)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Compare Matthew 13:54; 11:27; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:22; 10:22
Jesus revered and venerated the temple, and, when he was in Jerusalem, he did some of his most important teaching there.
Some types of Christianity claim that he rejected the temple, but this is plainly mistaken.
Several things to note in this passage. Among them:
* His audience notices that he manifests wisdom and insight far beyond his human education. (7:15)
* Jesus says that one can learn the truth of his teaching in the observing of it. (7:17)
* It isn’t unchristian to judge, but that judgment must be “righteous judgment.” (7:24) (Not, I think, as easy as it might sound.)
* Some in his audience thought they knew enough historical information about him to discredit his claims. (7:27) But what they “knew” about him was incorrect.
* The time of his death wasn’t actually in the hands of those who eventually killed him. (7:30)
* Some in the audience wondered, quite rightly, “If this isn’t the Messiah, with all his miracles, what more can we possibly expect?”
And so forth.
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