Jesus' Disputation with the Citizens of Jerusalem (John 7:25-30)

The article presents an exegesis of John 7:25-30. This passage from the Scriptures contains Jesus' debate with the Jews in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. The essential question of the debate concerns Jesus as the Messiah. This is challenged by Jerusalem citizens on the basis of the "messianic dogma", the unknown origin of the Messiah. In addition, the pericope contains the first of four affirmations of Jesus in which he proclaims that he knows God the Father (John 7:29, 8:55, 10:15, 17:25). Jesus affirms his knowledge of the Father, his own being from the Father, as well as his mission. Thereby, he exposes the deepest mystery of his own person, including his mission. Jesus not only fulfills the messianic expectations of his time, but goes beyond them. The exposition is accomplished by using the synchronic exegetical approach. It includes a narrative and pragmatic analysis and a reading of the pericope in its larger context and historical background.

Keywords: Messiahship; Messianic dogma; Unknown origin of the Messiah; Knowledge of God; Mission; Feast of Tabernacles