Shincheonji Perspective
Jesus used “wisdom” against His brothers when it came to the festival.
Context is King
Several explanations clarify that Jesus did not lie:
Divine Timing: Jesus’ response to His brothers highlights His adherence to divine timing. When He says, “My time has not yet fully come,” He is emphasizing that His actions are guided by God’s plan, not human expectations. He chose to attend the feast later and privately, aligning with His mission and avoiding premature public attention. His statement was not a denial of attending the feast but a rejection of His brothers’ suggestion to go publicly.
Manuscript Variations: Some ancient Greek manuscripts include the word “yet” in Jesus’ statement: “I am not yet going up to this feast.” This variation suggests that Jesus was indicating a temporary delay rather than an outright refusal to attend. This reading aligns with His subsequent decision to go later.
Context and Purpose: Jesus’ brothers were urging Him to attend the feast for public recognition, yet they did not believe in Him. Jesus’ initial statement was a response to their specific suggestion of a public display, not a declaration that He would avoid the feast entirely. By going later in private, He maintained His focus on God’s purpose rather than yielding to human expectations.
Jesus and His Public Ministry
Shincheonji response
Even if Jesus didn’t lie, he still did not go publicly, and used the wisdom of hiding for his own ministry.
Christian response
The context of John 7:8 is crucial. Some manuscripts include the word “yet,” indicating Jesus said, “I am not yet going up to this festival” (John 7:8). This aligns with Jesus’ consistent truthfulness and strategic timing according to God’s will, not human expectations.
You also have to recall, Jesus publicly displayed signs and miracles. Whenever he was asked a question, he did not deny himself before others to save his own skin. There are times when Jesus did withhold information from people who weren’t genuinely interested; however, he never lied about who he was.
We can see that the entire lead up to chapter 7, how Jesus never denied who he was, and never used deception.
John the Baptist sees Jesus coming towards him and publicly declares “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
John testifies publicly that he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove, identifying him as the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-33)
John publicly declares that Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:34)
Jesus meets Andrew and Simon Peter for the first time (not in secret) (John 1:35-42)
Jesus calls Philip to follow him (not in secret) (John 1:43)
Jesus meets Nathanael and demonstrates his divine knowledge (not in secret), leading Nathanael to declare Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel (John 1:45-49)
Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see greater things, including “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:50-51)
Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2: 6-10). This is described as the “beginning of signs” that Jesus performed (publicly)
At the temple, Jesus drives out the money changers and those selling animals, accusing them of turning his Father’s house into a marketplace (John 2:14-16). (publicly)
While in Jerusalem, many people believe in Jesus because of the signs he performs (John 2:23-25). (publicly)
Jesus has a nighttime conversation with Nicodemus,, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), and doesn’t deny who he is. (John 3) (Jesus did not use the “wisdom of hiding” by denying who he was)
Jesus has a significant conversation with the Samaritan woman about “living water” and reveals knowledge about her personal life (John 4:7-26). (publicly)
Many Samaritans from the town come to believe in Jesus based on the woman’s testimony and Jesus’ teaching. He stays with them for two days (John 4:39-42) (publicly)
In Cana, Jesus performs his second recorded miracle by healing a royal official’s son who was sick in Capernaum (John 4:46-54). (publicly)
At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus encounters a man who had been an invalid for 38 years (John 5:2-5).
The Jewish leaders begin to persecute Jesus for healing on the Sabbath (John 5:16).
Jesus responds by saying he is working just as his Father is always working, which further angers the Jewish leaders because they see it as Jesus claiming equality with God (John 5:17-18). (did not deny who he was)
Jesus then gives a discourse about his relationship with the Father, his authority, and the witnesses that testify about him (John 5:19-47). (did not deny who he was)
Jesus feeding the 5000 with five loaves and two fish John 6:5-13, particularly verses 9-11
Jesus’ “Bread of Life” discourse John 6:35 – “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”
John 6:51 – “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Jesus asking the Twelve if they want to leave and Peter’s affirmation:
Showing the previous 6 chapters of John 7, we can clearly see that Jesus never used any form of deception up to this point.
When someone attempts to use John 7 as a way to justify the use of deception, it is an example of adding and subtracting to God’s word.