Question 1

What does John 7:2 mean?

Accepted Answer

John 7:2 states that the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was approaching. This sets the timing for the events that follow, letting the reader know that what happens next takes place during an important Jewish festival. In the Gospel of John, this verse serves as a transition. The narrator is telling the reader that Jesus’ next actions and teachings will happen around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, a major celebration when many Jews traveled to Jerusalem. This context helps explain the crowds and the religious atmosphere in the following verses.

Question 2

The Greek behind John 7:2

Accepted Answer

ἑορτή (heortē, G1859): This word means "feast" or "festival." Here, it refers specifically to a major Jewish holiday, highlighting the public and communal nature of the upcoming events. σκηνοπηγία (skēnopēgia, G4634): Translated as "tabernacles," this word refers to the Feast of Tabernacles (also called Sukkot), a week-long festival where people lived in temporary shelters. This detail signals that the setting is one of pilgrimage, celebration, and remembrance of Israel’s time in the wilderness.

Question 3

Why John 7:2 matters

Accepted Answer

John 7:2 clarifies the timing and religious setting for the chapter, helping the reader understand why there are large crowds and heightened religious activity in Jerusalem. The mention of the Feast of Tabernacles connects Jesus’ actions to a festival that celebrates God’s provision and presence, themes that will echo in Jesus’ later teachings in this chapter. Noting the festival’s approach helps explain the urgency and movement of people, setting up the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders that unfolds in the following verses.

John 7:2 (KJV)