John 7:40 – “On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, the people listening to Jesus were reacting to His powerful words. He had just made a bold statement about being the source of “living water” (John 7:37-38), which was a clear reference to the Holy Spirit and salvation. Some of the crowd, moved by what He said, began to wonder if He was “the Prophet.”

This title, the Prophet, was a reference to a prophecy found in Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses told the Israelites that God would raise up a prophet like him. Many Jews believed this would be a great leader sent by God, possibly the Messiah or someone who would prepare the way for Him.

The fact that people were making this connection shows that Jesus’ words carried great authority. However, their understanding was incomplete. While Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy, He was more than just a prophet—He was the Son of God, the Messiah Himself. Some people in the crowd recognized something special about Him, but they didn’t fully grasp who He was.

Historical Context

Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the most important Jewish festivals. This celebration reminded the people of how God had provided for Israel in the wilderness, and it included rituals that pointed toward God’s future blessings.

At the heart of the feast was the water-pouring ceremony, in which priests poured water on the temple altar as a prayer for rain and a symbol of the coming of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus stood up and declared that He was the true source of “living water” (John 7:37-38), He was making a direct claim that He was the fulfillment of what the feast represented.

This bold declaration led to mixed reactions. Some believed He was the Prophet, while others thought He might be the Messiah. But some rejected Him entirely (John 7:41-44). This division shows that even when Jesus spoke truth clearly, people still had different responses based on their expectations and understanding.

Theological Implications

1. Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The people recognized that He might be the Prophet Moses spoke about, but they didn’t fully understand that He was also the Messiah, the Son of God.
2. People can hear the truth but still misunderstand it. The crowd heard Jesus’ words and recognized their significance, yet many of them stopped short of full belief. This shows that recognizing Jesus as important is not the same as having saving faith.
3. Jesus’ words demand a response. Some people accepted Him as the Messiah, while others rejected Him. This pattern continues today—every person must decide how they will respond to Jesus.

Literary Analysis

This verse is part of a larger passage (John 7:37-44) that describes the different reactions people had to Jesus. John, the author of this Gospel, often shows how people struggled to understand Jesus’ true identity.

The phrase “some of the people said” suggests that there was no single, united opinion about Jesus. Some believed He was the Prophet, while others thought He was the Messiah, and others rejected Him entirely. This division highlights a key theme in John’s Gospel: people must make a choice about who Jesus is.

The reference to the Prophet comes from Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses says, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you.” Many Jews expected this figure to be a forerunner to the Messiah, but they didn’t realize that Jesus fulfilled both roles.

Biblical Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 18:15 – Moses predicts that God will raise up a prophet like him.
• John 1:21 – When John the Baptist is asked if he is the Prophet, he says no, pointing to Jesus.
• John 6:14 – After Jesus feeds the 5,000, people say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
• Acts 3:22-23 – Peter confirms that Jesus is the Prophet spoken of by Moses.
• Matthew 16:13-17 – Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, and Peter declares that He is the Messiah.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that simply having some knowledge about Jesus is not enough. Many people today recognize Jesus as a great teacher, a prophet, or an important historical figure. But true faith means recognizing Him as the Son of God and trusting in Him for salvation.

It also shows that people can hear the same message but respond in different ways. Just as the crowd in Jesus’ day was divided, people today still have different opinions about who He is. Some believe, some doubt, and some reject Him outright.

For believers, this verse challenges us to ask: Are we following Jesus fully, or do we stop short like those who only saw Him as the Prophet?

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He sent Jesus to fulfill the promises He made long ago. He did not leave His people wondering—He sent the very one He had promised through Moses and the prophets.

God also allows people to respond to Jesus freely. He does not force anyone to believe, but He makes the truth available so that all who are willing can see it. The fact that some people misunderstood Jesus shows that God gives people the choice to accept or reject Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is more than just the Prophet—He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. While the people in John 7:40 were partially right in seeing Him as a prophet, they didn’t fully understand that He was also the Son of God.

This confusion about Jesus’ identity continued throughout His ministry. Some saw Him as a miracle worker (John 6:2), others as a wise teacher (John 3:2), and some even as a threat (John 11:47-48). But Jesus made it clear that He was the promised Messiah:

• John 4:25-26 – Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah.
• John 8:58 – Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am,” claiming divinity.
• John 10:30 – Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.”
• John 14:6 – Jesus says He is the only way to God.

Jesus was not just another prophet—He was the fulfillment of all the prophecies and the very Son of God.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think some people saw Jesus as the Prophet rather than the Messiah?
2. How do people today misunderstand who Jesus is?
3. What does it mean to fully recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior?
4. Have you ever struggled with doubts about Jesus’ identity? How did you work through them?
5. How can you help others understand the full truth about Jesus?

This verse reminds us that hearing Jesus’ words is not enough—we must respond with faith. Many people in Jesus’ time recognized something special about Him, but only those who truly believed in Him found eternal life. The same is true today. How will you respond to Him?