For even His own brothersThe term "brothers" here refers to Jesus' siblings, likely His half-brothers, the sons of Mary and Joseph. The Gospels mention James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas as His brothers. This familial relationship is significant because it highlights the humanity of Jesus, who grew up in a typical Jewish family setting. In Jewish culture, family ties were strong, and the expectation would be for family members to support one another. The mention of His brothers not believing in Him underscores the challenge Jesus faced in His ministry, even among those closest to Him.
did not believe in Him.
This phrase indicates a lack of faith or trust in Jesus' identity and mission. Despite witnessing His miracles and teachings, His brothers were skeptical. This disbelief is significant because it fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be rejected by His own people (Isaiah 53:3). It also highlights the theme of unbelief that runs throughout the Gospel of John, contrasting those who accept Jesus with those who do not. Later, after the resurrection, at least some of His brothers, notably James, came to believe in Him, as evidenced by James' leadership in the early church (Acts 15:13,Galatians 1:19). This transformation from disbelief to faith is a powerful testament to the impact of the resurrection and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristCentral figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is teaching and performing miracles during His ministry.
2.
Jesus' BrothersRefers to the biological half-brothers of Jesus, such as James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Jude), who at this point in the account, do not believe in His divine mission.
3.
JerusalemThe city where the Feast of Tabernacles is taking place, a significant Jewish festival that Jesus attends during this chapter.
4.
Feast of TabernaclesA Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, during which Jesus' brothers challenge Him to show Himself publicly.
5.
UnbeliefA recurring theme in the Gospel of John, highlighting the struggle and resistance to accepting Jesus as the Messiah.
Teaching Points
The Reality of UnbeliefEven those closest to Jesus struggled with belief. This highlights the human tendency to doubt and the need for personal revelation and faith.
Transformation through EncounterThe eventual belief of Jesus' brothers, as seen in Acts, underscores the power of encountering the risen Christ. It encourages us to seek a personal relationship with Jesus for transformation.
Family Dynamics in FaithJesus' experience with His brothers can comfort those who face disbelief or skepticism from family members. It reminds us to remain patient and prayerful for their spiritual journey.
The Importance of PerseveranceJesus continued His mission despite His brothers' unbelief. This teaches us to persevere in our calling, regardless of opposition or lack of support from those around us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 7:5?
2.Why did Jesus' brothers not believe in Him according to John 7:5?
3.How can we strengthen our faith when facing disbelief from family?
4.What Old Testament prophecies align with Jesus' rejection by His own family?
5.How does John 7:5 challenge us to respond to skepticism about our faith?
6.In what ways can we support family members struggling with belief in Christ?
7.Why did Jesus' own brothers not believe in Him according to John 7:5?
8.How does John 7:5 challenge the idea of familial support in faith?
9.What does John 7:5 reveal about the nature of belief and unbelief?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 7?
11.John 7:3–5 – If Jesus’s siblings initially didn’t believe in Him, how do we reconcile this with later passages showing they did?
12.Is it right to judge others?
13.Did Joseph have a wife before marrying Mary?
14.Did Jesus have siblings?What Does John 7:5 Mean
For evenThe little word “for” links this verse to what precedes it—Jesus’ brothers urging Him to go to Jerusalem and show Himself publicly (John 7:3–4). John is explaining their heart posture.
• The phrase “even” heightens the surprise: if anyone should have recognized who Jesus is, surely it would be family.
• Scripture frequently notes that rejection can come from the closest circles (John 1:11;Mark 6:4).
• Their unbelief underscores how faith is a supernatural work, not merely a matter of proximity or familiarity (John 6:44).
His own brothers• These are Mary’s other sons—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55)—half-brothers to Jesus, raised in the same household.
• Earlier, they tried to restrain Him, thinking He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21).
• Family skepticism fulfilled prophetic patterns: Joseph’s brothers sold him (Genesis 37); David’s brother belittled him (1 Samuel 17:28).
• Their later transformation is striking: after the resurrection, “all with one accord were devoted to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14). James becomes a pillar in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19;Acts 15). The change authenticates the reality of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7).
Did not believe in Him• “Believe” in John always carries the sense of personal trust and commitment, not mere mental assent (John 3:16; 20:31).
• At this moment, Jesus’ brothers are outsiders to saving faith. Their push for a public display resembles the crowd’s desire for signs rather than submission (John 6:30).
• Their unbelief adds weight to Jesus’ words: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil” (John 7:7).
• Persistent disbelief does not close the door on grace; the resurrection will turn skeptics into servants (John 20:26–29).
summaryJohn 7:5 shows that physical nearness to Jesus does not guarantee faith. Even those who shared His home initially missed His identity, fulfilling the pattern of a prophet without honor. Their story warns against casual familiarity yet offers hope: the same brothers who once scorned Him later worshiped Him. The verse magnifies both human hard-heartedness and the patient, transforming power of the risen Lord.
(5)
For neither did his brethren believe.--Comp. Note on
John 7:3. The words do not admit of any other meaning than the obvious one that even His brethren did not at this time believe Him to be the Messiah. That they are found in the very first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles joining with the Apostles, and the women, and Mary, with one accord in prayer (
John 7:14), is one of the striking instances of the hardened ground of human hearts passing into the fruitful ground receptive of the seed, as the case of Judas at the close of the last chapter is an instance of the opposite. For the immediate cause of the decisive change, see
1Corinthians 15:7.
Verse 5. -
For not even did his brethren believe in him. The evangelist, writing a generation later, and keenly remembering the attitude the brothers had assumed before the Resurrection, adds, "not even his brothers," who ought to have been the most prominent of his disciples, "did up to this time believe on him,"
i.e. entrust themselves to him, dispose of their prejudices, change their conceptions, accept his spiritual lead, acknowledge his Divine mission, or know him to be the Holy One of God. They had not come into the position of the twelve. What ideas soever they grasped fell immeasurably short of "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," of coming to him, being given to him and drawn to him by the Father. It was a world Messiah, a theocratic King, a Prophet-Captain, a royal Christ, that they sought and would have been glad to find in him. This treatment of the Lord was another striking parallel to the temptation of Jesus as described by the synoptists, "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (see note on ch. 4, and Introduction, VIII. 5). The non-belief of the brothers is in remarkable unison with the widespread unbelief of the people, who were anxious to discern the Christ of their own traditional expectations, and ready to press almost any possible claimant to premature demonstrations. The Pharisees and the people sought some sign from heaven. But while the people demanded it, they expected that he would and might gratify them if he chose. The Pharisees cynically tempted him to proclaim what they believed would prove his irremediable failure (Weiss, 'Life of Christ.,' vol. 3. Eng. trans., pp. 167-188).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.[even]οὐδὲ(oude)Adverb
Strong's 3761:Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.[own]οἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.brothersἀδελφοὶ(adelphoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80:A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.did {not} believeἐπίστευον(episteuon)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4100:From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.inεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.Him.αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: John 7:5 For even his brothers didn't believe (Jhn Jo Jn) 
