His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

JOHN 7:3KJV
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John 7:3 (KJV)

What does John 7:3 mean?

John 7:3 shows Jesus’ brothers telling Him to leave where He is and go to Judea so that His disciples there can see the miracles He is doing. They are urging Him to make His works more public by traveling to a more prominent place.

In this verse, the people speaking are Jesus’ own brothers, and they are addressing Jesus directly. The setting is just before the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, and His brothers seem to be challenging Him to show Himself openly in Judea, where more people—including His followers—could witness His actions. Their words suggest a mix of skepticism and perhaps a push for Jesus to prove Himself more publicly.

The Greek behind John 7:3

  • ἀδελφοί (adelphoi): This word means "brothers" and refers to Jesus’ siblings. The use of this term shows that even those closest to Jesus did not fully understand or support Him at this point.
  • μαθηταί (mathētai): This is the word for "disciples." Here, it refers to those who follow Jesus, and the brothers’ suggestion is that Jesus should perform His works for a wider audience of followers.
  • ἔργα (erga): This means "works" and points to the miracles or deeds Jesus was doing. The brothers focus on these visible actions, hinting at their interest in outward signs rather than deeper belief.

Why John 7:3 matters

  • John 7:3 helps clarify that Jesus’ own family did not fully believe in Him or understand His mission at this stage, which adds depth to the narrative of His ministry.
  • The verse highlights the tension between private faith and public display, showing that not everyone valued Jesus’ actions for the same reasons.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where Jesus responds to His brothers and reveals more about His approach to timing and public ministry.

Where else these words appear

“Depart” Greek G3327 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
  • Matthew 15:29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
  • John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

“hence” Greek G1782 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
  • Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

“Judaea” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

“see” Greek G2334 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
  • John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
  • Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.