John 7:25-36

25Some of the people in Jerusalem began to say, ‘This is the man that our leaders want to kill.

26But look! He is speaking to the crowds, and the leaders are not saying anything against him! Perhaps they really think that he is the Messiah!

27But we know where this man came from. When the Messiah comes, nobody will know that. Nobody will know where he has come from.’

28Jesus was still teaching in the yard of the temple. He shouted, ‘Yes, you say that you know me. And you know where I came from. But I have not come because I myself decided to come. He who sent me is true. You do not know him.

29But I know him because I have come from him. He is the one who sent me.’

30When they heard this, they tried to take hold of him. But nobody could put their hands on him, because it was not yet the right time.

31But many people in the crowd believed in Jesus. They said, ‘This man has done so many miracles. Surely he is the Messiah! Nobody could do more miracles than he has done.’

32The Pharisees heard what these people were saying quietly about Jesus. Then the leaders of the priests and the Pharisees sent some of their officers to take him away.

33Jesus said, ‘I will be with you for only a short time. Then I will return to the one who sent me.

34You will look for me, but you will not find me. You cannot go to the place where I will be.’

35The Jewish leaders asked each other, ‘What is he trying to tell us? Where can he go so that we cannot find him? Perhaps he will go to our people who have gone away to live among the Greek people. Perhaps he will go to teach the Greek people.

36He said, “You will look for me, but you will not find me.” And he also said, “You cannot go to the place where I will be.” What does he mean?’