7:3a
So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here connects this verse to the previous verse. Because the festival of Booths would happen soon, Jesus’ brothers encouraged him to go to Judea. John’s readers knew that the festival of Booths was held in Judea, so he did not have to say that. See the General Comment on 7:2–7:3a for other ways to connect these verses.
Jesus’ brothers said to Him: Jesus’ brothers wanted Jesus to act in a certain way. They wanted to persuade him to do something that they thought would be good for him. Here is another way to translate this phrase:
Jesus’ brothers advised him
Jesus’ brothers: This phrase probably refers to Jesus’ half-brothers, the sons of Mary and Joseph. These brothers were all younger than Jesus. See the note on 2:12b, where the same phrase is used.
to Him: The pronoun Him refers to Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to make this explicit. For example:
said to Jesus
General Comment on 7:2–7:3a
The background information in 7:2 helps explain why Jesus’ brothers said what they did in 7:3. Here are other ways to show the connection between 7:2 and 7:3a:
As the Jewish feast of Shelters drew near, his brothers said to him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him (New International Version)
-or-
It was almost time for the Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him (Contemporary English Version)
7:3b
Leave here and go to Judea: This is a gentle command. Jesus’ brothers tried to persuade him to go to Jerusalem in Judea, where the Jewish people would celebrate the festival.
Here are other ways to translate this command:
Why don’t you go to Judea? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
You should leave here and go to Judea. (New Century Version)
-or-
You ought to leave this place and go to ⌊the festival/feast in⌋ Judea.
here: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as here refers to the region of Galilee, as contrasted with the region of Judea. Here is another way to translate this word:
this place (Good News Translation)
7:3c
so that Your disciples there may see the works You are doing: The conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that means “in order that.” Jesus’ brothers suggested that it would be good for Jesus to demonstrate his power in Judea. Then his disciples there could also see his miracles. Perhaps they knew that many of Jesus’ followers there had recently turned away from him (see 6:60, 66).
Here is another way to translate this clause:
where your followers can see your miracles (New Living Translation (2004))
disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to “learners” or “followers” who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn and live according to his teaching and example. Disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went. But the disciples in this verse had remained in Judea and so did not follow him to Galilee.
See how you translated this term at 1:35, 3:22, and 6:3.
there: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as there in this context probably means “there also,” or “in Judea also.” Jesus had disciples in both Galilee and Judea, and most of them were in Galilee. If a literal translation would imply that Jesus’ disciples were all in Judea, it may be necessary to make it clearer. For example:
there ⌊also⌋
may see the works You are doing: Jesus’ brothers implied that his disciples should see what he was doing because his works were miracles. In some languages it may be necessary to make it clear that these works were powerful works or miracles. For example:
may see the great things you are doing (Revised English Bible)
-or-
can see your miracles (New Living Translation (2004))
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