Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights the Feast of Tabernacles, a time that was both a harvest celebration and a reminder of God's provision during Israel's wilderness journey. While it was meant to foster humility by recalling their dependence, it was also known as the most joyful feast, a time of national gathering and celebration.
Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had been staying in Galilee because religious leaders in Judea were looking for a way to kill him. As a major Jewish festival, the Feast of Booths, approached, his own brothers encouraged him to go to Jerusalem and make a public display of his power. Jesus, however, knew that his public ministry and the opposition he faced from the world were not yet at their appointed time, unlike his brothers who could travel freely.
The Feast of Booths wasn't just a holiday; it was a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness. What does this ancient festival teach us about gratitude and perspective today?
The Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering, was a major Jewish festival held in the early autumn. It had a beautiful twofold significance:
This feast was known for its immense joy, often described as the most festive of all the Jewish celebrations. It was a time of deep gratitude, both for material blessings and for God's redemptive history.
Jesus' own brothers urged Him to go public at this major festival. But Jesus had a different sense of timing. What can we learn from His response?
Jesus' brothers, likely not yet believers, saw the Feast of Booths as a prime opportunity for Jesus to gain public recognition. They urged Him to go to Jerusalem and 'show himself to the world' (John 7:4), thinking His current hidden life in Galilee was ineffective.
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Jesus’ response reveals a crucial aspect of His mission: divine timing.
Understand the original words
sukkah · Hebrew Noun
The Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles/Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrim festivals in Israel. It commemorated God's provision for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness and looked forward to the final ingathering of the harvest.
The Feast of Tabernacles was a deeply significant, joyous festival in ancient Israel, celebrating both harvest and God's deliverance. Its observance, especially in Jerusalem, created a massive, public gathering. Jesus' reluctance to go to Jerusalem at this time, due to the threat on his life, highlights the dangerous tension between him and the religious authorities.
c. 1400 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Commanded
God commands Israel to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating their dwelling in temporary shelters during their 40 years in the wilderness after the Exodus.
c. 950 BC
Solomon's Temple Dedicated
The Feast of Tabernacles is a major celebration during the dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, highlighting its importance.
c. 5th Century BC
Post-Exilic Observance
Nehemiah leads a revival of the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the dwelling in booths and reading of the Law, after the return from Babylonian exile.
Early 1st Century AD— this verse
Jesus Avoids Judea
Jesus deliberately stays in Galilee because hostile Jewish leaders in Judea are actively seeking to harm or kill him.
Early 1st Century AD
Feast of Tabernacles Approaches
The annual Feast of Tabernacles, a joyous harvest festival and remembrance of the wilderness, is drawing near in Jerusalem.
This passage provides the Old Testament command for the Feast of Tabernacles, explaining its purpose of remembering Israel's wilderness wanderings and dwelling in booths. It highlights the joy and remembrance associated with this significant festival.
Deuteronomy 16:13-16This text reiterates the command for the Feast of Tabernacles as a harvest-home festival, emphasizing the required joyous celebration and pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It underscores the importance of this feast as one of the three major annual gatherings.
Nehemiah 8:14-18This passage describes the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles after the exile, showing the people dwelling in booths and reading the Law. It illustrates the communal and celebratory nature of the feast and its connection to God's Word.
John 7:37-39Jesus' invitation during the Feast of Tabernacles to come to Him for living water directly contrasts the earthly water ceremonies with the spiritual reality He offers. This passage shows Jesus using the context of the feast to reveal His identity and mission.
Revelation 7:9-10The imagery of a great multitude in white robes holding palm branches, singing praises, evokes the joyous atmosphere and symbolism of the Feast of Tabernacles. This vision points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's salvation in the heavenly celebration.
vincentJohn 7:2: "Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand."
The Jews' feast of tabernaclesThe Rev. brings out the defining force of the two articles: the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles. This feast occurred in the early autumn (September or early October), and lasted for seven days. Its observance is commanded in Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:39, Leviticus 23:42, Leviticus 23:43; Deuteronomy 16:13. Its significance was twofold. It was a harvest-home festival, and hence wa…
calvinJohn 7:1-8: "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him."
- And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he did not wish to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2. And the setting up of tabernacles, a feast of the Jews, was at hand. 3. His brethren therefore said to him, Depart hence, and go away into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works which thou dost. 4. For no man doth any thing in secret…
This verse highlights the Feast of Tabernacles, a time that was both a harvest celebration and a reminder of God's provision during Israel's wilderness journey. While it was meant to foster humility by recalling their dependence, it was also known as the most joyful feast, a time of national gathering and celebration.
Jesus had been staying in Galilee because religious leaders in Judea were looking for a way to kill him. As a major Jewish festival, the Feast of Booths, approached, his own brothers encouraged him to go to Jerusalem and make a public display of his power. Jesus, however, knew that his public ministry and the opposition he faced from the world were not yet at their appointed time, unlike his brothers who could travel freely.
Jesus had been staying in Galilee because religious leaders in Judea were looking for a way to kill him. As a major Jewish festival, the Feast of Booths, approached, his own brothers encouraged him to go to Jerusalem and make a public display of his power. Jesus, however, knew that his public ministry and the opposition he faced from the world were not yet at their appointed time, unlike his brothers who could travel freely.
"Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand." — This verse highlights the Feast of Tabernacles, a time that was both a harvest celebration and a reminder of God's provision during Israel's wilderness journey. While it was meant to foster humility…
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Last reviewed October 2026