Out of Galilee Arises No Prophet - John 7:52

The apostle John wrote concerning Jesus how, “then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knows not the law are cursed. Nicodemus said unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?”, and in chapter seven and verse fifty-two of his book, John shared how the Pharisees tell Nicodemus,“out of Galilee arises no prophet”, where we read:

They answered and said unto him, Are you also of Galilee?

Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet.

The verse reads, “They answered and said unto him, Are you also of Galilee?” John began with the words, “they answered and said unto him” which means “the religious leaders including the Pharisees responded and began to speak and uttered, declared, proclaimed to and asked Nicodemus”, “are you also of Galilee” which means “do you arise and appeared even so and indeed from Galilee which means circuit and was the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan”? John shared how the “religious leaders” questioned whether “Nicodemus” was from the region of “Galilee”.

The verse goes on to say, “Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet.” John continued with the words, “search, and look” which means “investigate, examine, behold and see”: “for out of Galilee” or “because from “circuit” which was the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan” “arises no prophet” which means “produces, caused to appear and raised up not one man who moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation ”. John shared how the “religious leaders” challenged Nicodemus to “investigate” whether any “prophet” arose and appeared from the region of “Galilee”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” challenged “Nicodemus” to examine whether any “prophet” came from the region of “Galilee”. If “Nicodemus” would have accepted their challenge, he would have discovered that both Jonah and Nahum were from the“Galilee” region, however this would not have mattered to the “religious leaders” because they wanted Jesus “captured”. When “Nicodemus” directed His question toward them, they were basically asking him if he was in alignment with Jesus. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life in Heaven. Those who are wise will “examine” all the scriptures concerning the Messiah and find Jesus is the Messiah, Christ and Son of God who is worthy to be worshiped, obeyed and believed.

Next time John shares how, “every man went to his own house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".