For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
Parallel translations
- WEB For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.”
- BSB For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”
- NKJV For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
- NASB For no one does anything in secret when he himself is striving to be known publicly. If You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”
- NLT You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
His brothers reason that one seeking recognition should act openly, and urge Jesus to reveal Himself to the world. They press Him toward self-promotion rather than the Father's path.
Overview
The brothers' logic is worldly: prove yourself publicly to gain a following. They misunderstand both Jesus's mission and the nature of His coming glory, which would be revealed through the cross. Their challenge highlights the gap between human ambition and the humble obedience by which Jesus would truly be made known.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 18:20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
- Prov 18:1–2Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- Matt 23:5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
- Matt 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
- Luke 6:45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
- Matt 6:1–2Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
- Matt 4:6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
- 1 Kgs 22:13And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
- Matt 6:16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
- Acts 2:4–12And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 7:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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