What Does John 7:3 Mean in the King James?
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
His brothers frame departure as a way to turn his works into something an audience can inspect.
THE MEANING
Around you, a demand can sound practical: go where the audience is, so more people can observe what you do. The works become a reason for the journey, but being watched does not itself mean being understood.
THE ROOT
μετάβηθι
metábēthi
GROWS FROM
βαίνω
baínō
to step, to go
The command to depart carries the sense of moving across from where one is. A related form meaning “go up” appears later in the chapter, so movement itself threads through the scene even as the manner of going changes.
ALSO GROWS
metabaínō: To move from one place to another.
μεταβαίνω
This is the verb behind the command “Depart,” giving the departure the sense of a transition.
anabaínō: To go upward or go up to a place.
ἀναβαίνω
This related form appears in John 7:10, where the brothers go up to the feast.
θεωρέω
theōréō
GROWS FROM
θεωρ-
theōr-
to look at, observe, behold
“see” in this verse is theōréō. The verb can describe attentive observation, not simply registering that something is there. The brothers imagine the disciples as observers of the works, while the verse leaves open whether observing becomes understanding.
ALSO GROWS
theōría: A viewing or act of looking on.
θεωρία
It keeps “see” close to the act of observation the brothers want the disciples to make.
theōrós: A person who looks on or observes.
θεωρός
It makes visible the role offered to the disciples here: they are to look on at the works.
THE PATTERN
Works become witness when they are brought into another’s sight.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.THE THREAD
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.The command in verse 3 uses βαίνω (baínō, “go”) in a form meaning “move across”; verse 10 uses its related form ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, “go up”). The shared movement root carries the journey forward, while verse 10 shows that going and being seen are not the same choice.
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