Christ's Worldview

B. The Urging of Christ's Brethren (John 7:3-5)

1. The identiy of Christ's brethren (John 7:3)
   a. Not Christ's cousins—this was the teaching of Jerome in the fourth century to support the superiority of virginity by teaching the perpetual virginity of Mary
   b. The brethren are not Joseph's children from an earlier marriage (Matthew 13:55-56)
   c. They are the younger brothers of Jesus born to Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:25)
2. The motive for inviting Jesus to go with them (John 7:3-4)
   a. Show your works (John 7:3).
   b. Show yourself (John 7:4).
   (1) They told Jesus that no one would do these things in secret (but see Proverbs 18:1; Matthew 6:1-6; Matthew 23:5).
   Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
   • It is all about MOTIVE
   Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
   Matthew 6:1 Take 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. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And 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 thei