Not having the ability to catch Jesus at His Word in a snare, the children of Belial would still try to "discredit" Him anyway. Of course, such would always be in error. Consider, for example, the seventh chapter of John.

The first verse is: "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him there." The word for "Jewry" in the original, old language is "Ioudaia" (ee-oo-dah'-yah), meaning: Judaea, region of Palestine. It is important to understand the geography at that time. Thus, it is important to digress to explain before continuing.

As a simple comparison, compare Israel to the geography of New England (((in the northeastern United States))). In the south (((of New England))), Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut would compare to Judaea. Vermont and New Hampshire would be comparable to Samaria (as in the Samaritans). Maine would be comparable to Galilee. Because Jesus was indeed from Judaea, this would compare to His being from the lower states, as in Massachusetts, for example. However, Jesus spent most of his time teaching in Galilee (e.g., Nazareth, Capernaum, etc.). This would compare to teaching in Maine most of the time. Thus, the term in the gospels for "Jews" would refer to those who were from the lower region of Judaea. Whenever Jesus would travel to Jerusalem or Judaea, it was similar to His traveling south from Maine (representing Galilee) down to Massachusetts (representing Judaea). Because He spent most of his time in the northern region of Galilee (being represented by Maine), the Judaeans (Jews) perceived Jesus as being a Galilaean even though He was actually from that southern region of Judaea (being represented by Massachusetts), thus being a Judaean Himself. With that in context, the following is more easily understood.

In John chapter 7, Jesus sent his followers south to Judaea without Him. However, Jesus would arrive secretly. In John 7:14: "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught." It was at this point that our Lord explained that the doctrine He taught was not His but the Father's. After great teaching, the people were amazed. Many proclaimed that Jesus "is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ." (John 7:40d-41b.) Yet, the children of the world then sought to "discredit" Him.

In error, they sought to use the region at which Jesus had mostly spent His time teaching against Him. "But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him." (John 7:41c-43.) In another attempt to "discredit" Jesus, the Pharisees asked, "Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on" Jesus? (John 7:47b-48.) The world would have people believe that "educated" rulers and "theologians" are the only basis for knowing TRUTH. Their logic would have the people believe that TRUTH can only be determined by them, the so-called "educated" and "religious leaders". (Does that not sound similar to the doctrines of most so-called "churches" today?) Of course, Jesus repeatedly disproved that absurdity (both then and now!).

Still yet again, they used Galilee as a way of "discrediting" our Lord. John 7:52, they said: "Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."

Indeed, they were correct with Scripture there, but they were in error as to the real region from where Jesus was actually come. He was a Judaean who merely taught in Galilee. And why was that? We have the answer in all four of the gospels.

In John 4:43-45: "Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem ((south in His own "country" of Judaea))..."

In Luke 4:24, Jesus declared, "Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country." In Mark 6:4, the quote is a little more detailed: "A prophet is not without honour, BUT in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." And just a little bit simpler, He is quoted in Matthew 13:57 as saying, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." (It is easier to understand the words "not without" as being conceptually substituted with the word "with". In other words, 'A prophet is "WITH" honour, but/except in his own country...'.)

Thus, it is obvious why the Judaean Jesus spent most of His time teaching up in the northern "country" of Galilee ---even though Jesus was indeed a "Jew", a Judaean!

© June 4, 1995, The Standard Bearer
P.O. Box 765, O.O.B., ME 04064

<--Previous    Next-->