John 7:4

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 7:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world.
John 7:4 — American Standard Version

Context — John 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, etc.] For so they reckoned his doing miracles in such a corner of the land, and in so obscure a place as Galilee: and he himself seeketh to be known openly; suggesting hereby, that Christ was an ambitious person, and sought popular applause, and honour and glory from men, when nothing was more foreign from him; (see <430541>John 5:41 8:50). If thou do these things; for they question whether the miracles he wrought were real; and suspected that they were deceptions of the sight, and delusions; or at least they questioned their being done by him; and rather thought that they were done by diabolical influence, by Beelzebub the prince of devils:…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For there is no man ... - The brethren of Jesus supposed that he was influenced as others are. As it is a common thing among men to seek popularity, so they supposed that he would also seek it; and as a great multitude would be assembled at Jerusalem at this feast, they supposed it would be a favorable time to make himself known. What follows shows that this was said, probably, not in sincerity, but in derision; and to the other sufferings of our Lord was to be added, what is so common to Christians, derision from his relatives and friends on account of his pretensions. If our Saviour was derided, we also may expect to be by our relatives; and, having his example, we should be content to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For no man doth any thing - Of this kind, in secret; but rather desireth to be of public use. If thou really dost these things - These miracles which are reported; show thyself to the world - To all men. John 7:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“there: Pro 18:1, Pro 18:2; Mat 6:1, Mat 6:2, Mat 6:5, Mat 6:16, Mat 23:5; Luk 6:45 show: Joh 18:20; Kg1 22:13; Mat 4:6; Act 2:4-12 John 7:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification