The Great Gospel of John
Volume 1
Jesus' Precepts and Deeds through His Three Years of Teaching
Second day in Sychar
- Chapter 85 -
Continuation of journey. Arrival in Galilee. Diverse opinions about the Messiah. Hints about the kingdom of God. Further journey to Cana in Galilee.
Having arrived in the valley, we soon reached a Galilean village, where many of those Galileans dwelt who had attended the feast at Jerusalem, when I had cleansed the temple. Neither had it been a long time since that occasion in Jerusalem, and hence everything still was fresh in their minds.
2
Seeing Me pass through the streets of their village, they soon came out of their dwellings into the street, greeting Me very amicably and not being able to praise Me too highly for what was to them a daring deed in the Temple. And their joy at seeing Me was heightened in that they had nearly all thought that the Pharisees at Jerusalem may have secretly dispatched Me from this world! For these Galileans hardly knew more of Me than that I was the son of the pious Joseph and that God was with Me the way He was with Joseph. I and My company had to stay with them all of the day and finally the entire night. They hosted us to the limits of their ability and there were many questions and much consultation, and the subject of the Messiah also came up, and many saw and recognised Same in Me.
3
Because they said, 'He Who can demonstrate such courage in front of thousands in the Temple must be conscious of a great power, which is given Him from above! Because if an ordinary human being tried this he would fare badly. Neither would he have accomplished anything against the rusty old practices prevailing in the Temple! But it was different with You. They ran out of the Temple as if hit by a mighty storm, - and no market has been held in the Temple since then! - And I said, 'Neither shall be held there henceforth; because its end is near!'
4
Here the Galileans were astounded and answered, 'If so then it shall fare badly with us! What then is to become of the everlasting dominion of David's descendants as promised by the prophets and which the Messiah is to re-establish?!'
5
Say I, 'He shall indeed found a new, everlasting kingdom for the true children and descendants of David, and therewith for all men of the earth; but not on this earth but above it - in heaven! Whoever interprets the prophets otherwise shall walk in darkness'.
6
With these Words several leave, since they believe in an earthly Messiah; but many ask for a more detailed explanation.
7
But I say, 'You too have to see signs, otherwise you believe nothing! Hence follow Me to Cana and then thereabouts, and you shall receive doctrine and signs!'
8
But there were many among My company from Cana who had most devoutly accompanied Me throughout this entire educational tour since that feast. These wanted to start telling about all the doctrines they had heard and seen from Me.
9
But I say, 'For these it is not time yet. But let them follow us; there we shall mention some of it, and they themselves shall see and find out more. And so let us continue our journey! But let there be no talking along the way, as there are encampments of Pharisees!'
10
The Galileans confirmed this, saying how there are now pharisaic spies lurking everywhere, stopping travellers along the road to question them in all sorts of ways and now and then also about the whereabouts of a certain Jesus of Nazareth, and whether He teaches among them. And I said, 'For this very reason we shall move to Cana in silence; they shall very wisely not put questions to our numerous company!'