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Book of John - Chapter 7 - Verse 19

7:19
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

Meaning

The verse "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" from the Bible is a statement made by Jesus to the crowds who were questioning his teachings and authority. In this verse, Jesus is challenging the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and the people who claim to follow the law of Moses, yet are not truly living in accordance with it. By pointing out that they do not truly keep the law themselves, Jesus is highlighting their own shortcomings and lack of true righteousness. He is using this question to provoke them to introspection and reflection on their own actions and motivations.

Furthermore, by questioning why they are seeking to kill him, Jesus is also revealing their underlying hostility and resistance to his message of love and forgiveness. He is confronting them with the contradiction between their outward adherence to religious laws and their inward motives of hatred and violence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for Christians to examine their own lives and ensure that their actions align with the teachings of Jesus, rather than being driven by self-righteousness and judgment of others.

Theological Overview

When Jesus said, "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" in John 7:19, He was speaking to the crowd in the context of the Jewish leaders' hypocrisy. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights Jesus' acknowledgement of the authority of Moses in giving the law to the Israelites. However, He also points out the irony that the very ones who claim to uphold the law are the ones seeking to kill Him, the Son of God. This verse emphasizes the disconnect between the Jewish leaders' outward adherence to the law and their inward motivation of self-interest and pride.

Word studies on this verse may focus on the terms "law" and "kill." The word "law" refers to the Mosaic Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, which encompassed moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations for the Israelites. The word "kill" implies the intention of the Jewish leaders to harm Jesus physically or discredit Him publicly. This word study provides insight into the gravity of the situation Jesus was addressing and the depth of the Jewish leaders' animosity towards Him.

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