John 7:15
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Their amazement isn't about the truth of Jesus' words, but about His credentials. They're stunned that someone without their formal schooling could know the Scriptures so deeply, revealing how much they valued human tradition over divine insight. This highlights that true understanding doesn't always come from conventional education but from a direct connection to God's wisdom.
Jesus has just entered the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles and begun teaching the crowds. The religious authorities, who had previously tried to arrest Him, are bewildered by His public teaching and the people’s reaction. Their astonishment isn't about the truth of His message, but rather how He possesses such deep scriptural knowledge and wisdom without having attended their rabbinical schools.
Understand the original words
thaumazō · Greek Verb
A state of wonder, astonishment, or amazement; in the Gospels, this is often the response of those who encounter Jesus' authority, miracles, or wisdom, though it does not always lead to belief.
grammata · Greek Noun
Letters, literature, or scholarly knowledge; in the ancient context, it refers to the formal training in the Torah and rabbinic traditions that were expected of those who taught the people.
The astonishment of the Jewish leaders wasn't just about Jesus' knowledge, but the implication: his wisdom and understanding of Scripture far surpassed their own rabbinic training, suggesting a divine source they were unwilling to acknowledge.
c. 20 BC - 4 BC
Jesus' Birth and Early Life
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. While the Gospels mention his visit to the Temple at age 12, details of his upbringing are scarce, but it's understood he learned a trade, likely carpentry, and received education typical for Jewish boys of his time, including synagogue instruction.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist began his public ministry, preparing the way for Jesus. This period saw increasing religious and political ferment in Judea.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His teachings often challenged the religious authorities and traditions of the day.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles
During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus taught in the Temple. His presence and authoritative teaching, especially his claims about his divine origin, caused a stir among both the crowds and the Jewish leaders.
This passage highlights a similar reaction from the religious authorities when Peter and John spoke with boldness and wisdom they couldn't explain, noting they were 'uneducated, ordinary men'.
Matthew 13:54This verse shows the astonishment of the people in Jesus' hometown when He taught in their synagogue, recognizing His wisdom and mighty works but questioning His origins and education ('Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?').
Isaiah 11:2This prophecy speaks of the Spirit of the LORD resting on the future Messiah, giving Him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, which directly relates to Jesus' divine source of knowledge that amazed the Jewish leaders.
John 7:16Immediately following this verse, Jesus directly addresses their amazement by stating His teaching is not His own but from God, explaining the divine origin of His 'learning' that puzzled them.
barnesJohn 7:15: "And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?"
Knoweth this man letters - The Jewish letters or science consisted in the knowledge of their Scriptures and traditions. Jesus exhibited in his discourses such a profound acquaintance with the Old Testament as to excite their amazement and admiration. Having never learned - The Jews taught their law and tradition in celebrated schools. As Jesus had not been instructed in those schools, they were amaz…
calvinJohn 7:14-19: "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught."
- And about the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15. And the Jews wondered, saying, How doth this man know letters, since he did not learn them? 16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but that of him who sent me. 17. If any man wish to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, if it be of God, or if I speak from myself. 18. He who speaketh from hims…
Their amazement isn't about the truth of Jesus' words, but about His credentials. They're stunned that someone without their formal schooling could know the Scriptures so deeply, revealing how much they valued human tradition over divine insight. This highlights that true understanding doesn't always come from conventional education but from a direct connection to God's wisdom.
Jesus has just entered the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles and begun teaching the crowds. The religious authorities, who had previously tried to arrest Him, are bewildered by His public teaching and the people’s reaction. Their astonishment isn't about the truth of His message, but rather how He possesses such deep scriptural knowledge and wisdom without having attended their rabbinical schools.
Jesus has just entered the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles and begun teaching the crowds. The religious authorities, who had previously tried to arrest Him, are bewildered by His public teaching and the people’s reaction. Their astonishment isn't about the truth of His message, but rather how He possesses such deep scriptural knowledge and wisdom without having attended their rabbinical schools.
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c. AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem during Passover and resurrected three days later, an event that would profoundly shape the early Christian movement.
"The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”" — Their amazement isn't about the truth of Jesus' words, but about His credentials. They're stunned that someone without their formal schooling could know the Scriptures so deeply, revealing how mu…
