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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 7:34 You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/7-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/43_Jhn_07_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 7:34 - Is Jesus the Christ?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/7-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/7-34.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 34</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/7-33.htm" title="John 7:33">◄</a> John 7:34 <a href="/john/7-35.htm" title="John 7:35">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/7.htm">New International Version</a> You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.” <a href="/esv/john/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You will seek Me and will not find Me; and where I am, you are not able to come." <a href="/kjv/john/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. <a href="/nkjv/john/7.htm">New King James Version</a> You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.” <a href="/nasb_/john/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/nasb/john/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/lsb/john/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/amp/john/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/csb/john/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” <a href="/hcsb/john/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come. <a href="/cev/john/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You will look for me, but you won't find me. You cannot go where I am going." <a href="/erv/john/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come. <a href="/gwt/john/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You will look for me, but you won't find me. You can't go where I'm going." <a href="/gnt/john/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> You will look for me, but you will not find me, because you cannot go where I will be." <a href="/isv/john/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> You'll look for me but won't find me. And where I am, you cannot come." <a href="/msb/john/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.? <a href="/net/john/7.htm">NET Bible</a> You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come." <a href="/nheb/john/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You will seek me, but won't find; and where I am, you cannot come." <a href="/wbt/john/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye will seek me, and will not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You will look for me and will not find me, and where I am you cannot come." <a href="/web/john/7.htm">World English Bible</a> You will seek me and won’t find me. You can’t come where I am.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> you will seek Me, and you will not find; and where I am, you are not able to come.” <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You will seek Me and will not find Me; and where I am, you are not able to come." <a href="/ylt/john/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> ye will seek me, and ye shall not find; and where I am, ye are not able to come.' <a href="/slt/john/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And ye shall seek me and shall not find: and where I am, ye cannot come.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come. <a href="/cpdv/john/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You shall seek me, and you will not find me. And where I am, you are not able to go.” <a href="/nabre/john/7.htm">New American Bible</a> You will look for me but not find [me], and where I am you cannot come.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You will seek me, but you will not find me; and where I am you cannot come. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And you will seek me and you will not find me, and wherever I am, you cannot come.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> You will seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, you can not come. <a href="/godbey/john/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>You will seek me, and will not find me: and where I am, you are not able to come.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come. <a href="/mace/john/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> ye shall seek me, but shall not find me: and where I shall go, thither ye cannot come. <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You will look for me and will not find me, and where I am you cannot come." <a href="/worrell/john/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Ye will seek Me, and will not find Me; and, where I am, ye cannot come."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ye shall seek me, and shall not find <Fr>me:<FR> and where I am <Fr>to be,<FR> ye cannot come.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/7-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2543" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Is Jesus the Christ?</a> …33So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me. 34<a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zētēsete (V-FIA-2P) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">You will look for</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurēsete (V-FIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">you will not find</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3699.htm" title="3699: hopou (Adv) -- Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.">where</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">am,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">cannot</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthein (V-ANA) -- To come, go. ">come.” </a> 35At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-21.htm">John 8:21</a> Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” <a href="/john/13-33.htm">John 13:33</a> Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28</a> Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. <a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Amos 8:12</a> People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. <a href="/hosea/5-6.htm">Hosea 5:6</a> They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a> You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. <a href="/matthew/23-39.htm">Matthew 23:39</a> For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” <a href="/luke/13-35.htm">Luke 13:35</a> Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” <a href="/john/14-19.htm">John 14:19</a> In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. <a href="/john/16-16.htm">John 16:16</a> In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.” <a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35</a> Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. <a href="/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40</a> yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. <a href="/john/6-36.htm">John 6:36</a> But as I stated, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come.<a href="/john/8-21.htm">John 8:21-24</a> Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come… <a href="/john/13-33.htm">John 13:33-36</a> Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you… <a href="/john/14-3.htm">John 14:3,6</a> And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/7-7.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/7-17.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/7-25.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/luke/21-2.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/john/7-31.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/7-36.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/7-35.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/7-36.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/john/7-36.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/john/7-35.htm">Won't</a><div class="vheading2">John 7</div>1. <a href="/john/7-1.htm">Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;</a> 10. <a href="/john/7-10.htm">goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles;</a> 14. <a href="/john/7-14.htm">teaches in the temple.</a> 40. <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Various opinions of him among the people.</a> 45. <a href="/john/7-45.htm">The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, </a> 50. <a href="/john/7-50.htm">and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>You will look for Me This phrase indicates a future search for Jesus, suggesting a time when His presence will be sought after but not found. In the context of <a href="/john/7.htm">John 7</a>, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority and identity. This search can be seen as both a literal and spiritual pursuit. Historically, after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, many would seek understanding of His teachings and the truth of His identity. This echoes prophetic themes found in <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a>, where a famine of hearing the words of the Lord is described. Theologically, it underscores the urgency of recognizing Jesus during His earthly ministry and the limited time of His physical presence.but you will not find Me This part of the verse highlights the inability of the Jewish leaders to find Jesus, not just physically, but spiritually. Their lack of faith and understanding prevents them from truly knowing Him. This reflects the broader theme in the Gospel of John of spiritual blindness and misunderstanding. The inability to find Jesus is not due to His absence, but rather their own spiritual condition. This is reminiscent of <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, where the people's hearts are hardened, preventing them from perceiving God's truth.and where I am, you cannot come.” Here, Jesus refers to His return to the Father, a place inaccessible to those who do not believe in Him. This statement foreshadows His ascension and the heavenly realm, which is reserved for those who follow Him. It emphasizes the separation between belief and unbelief, a recurring theme in John's Gospel. Theologically, it points to the exclusivity of salvation through Christ, as seen in <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>, where Jesus declares Himself the way, the truth, and the life. This phrase also serves as a warning to the listeners about the consequences of rejecting Him, aligning with the eschatological themes of judgment and eternal separation from God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders and the crowd during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. He is addressing their unbelief and foreshadowing His departure. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The religious authorities who are questioning Jesus' teachings and authority. They are often depicted as misunderstanding or opposing Jesus' message. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this event takes place, specifically during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival. 4. <a href="/topical/f/feast_of_tabernacles.htm">Feast of Tabernacles</a> An important Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and God's provision. It serves as the backdrop for Jesus' teachings in <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">John 7</a>. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> The general populace present at the feast, including both believers and skeptics, who are trying to understand Jesus' identity and message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_seeking_jesus.htm">Urgency of Seeking Jesus</a> Jesus' statement underscores the importance of seeking Him while He is available. There is a time when the opportunity to find Him will pass, emphasizing the urgency of responding to His call today. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_separation.htm">Spiritual Separation</a> The inability to find Jesus is a result of spiritual separation caused by unbelief. This highlights the necessity of faith and repentance to bridge the gap between humanity and God. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_mission.htm">Understanding Jesus' Mission</a> The Jewish leaders' misunderstanding of Jesus' mission serves as a warning to us to seek a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Jesus speaks of a place where He is going that others cannot follow, pointing to His heavenly origin and destiny. Believers are called to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the things above. <a href="/topical/i/invitation_to_believe.htm">Invitation to Believe</a> While Jesus warns of a time when He cannot be found, His message is also an invitation to believe in Him now. This is a call to faith and trust in His promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 7</a> <a href="/q/how_does_wisdom_lead_to_foolishness.htm">Is there only one shepherd?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_difference_between_a_diocese_and_an_archdiocese.htm">How do sheep survive among wolves?</a> <a href="/q/why_hasn't_jesus'_return_happened_yet.htm">When Jesus says in John 16:16 that his followers 'will see' him after 'a little while,' why has the second coming not happened given nearly two thousand years have passed?</a> <a href="/q/who_or_what_is_the_antichrist.htm">Who or what is the Antichrist?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me.--These words are to be interpreted in connection with <a href="/john/8-21.htm" title="Then said Jesus again to them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.">John 8:21</a>, where they are repeated, and with <a href="/john/13-33.htm" title="Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me: and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you.">John 13:33</a>, where they are quoted and applied to the disciples. This will exclude any special reference, such as to the destruction of Jerusalem and to the seeking Him in the miseries which should follow, which most expositors have found here. The words refer rather to the more general truth now present to His mind, and applicable to all alike, that the time was at hand when He would return to the Father, and His bodily presence would be unapproachable, alike by those who should seek in hatred, or those who should seek in love.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 34. - Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me. Many interpretations are given of this. (1) Origen and Grotius refer it to a hostile search for him which would not be gratified; but the whole story of the arrest which follows, as well as the quotation of these words in <a href="/john/13-33.htm">John 13:33</a>, prove that this was not his meaning. (2) Augustine and others imagine penitential seeking when it would be too late. This is not justified by the connection. The limitation of the day of grace for seeking souls is not the theme of this address, and it is, save under special circumstances, no teaching of the New Testament. (3) The ideas of Hengstenberg and others, so largely built on the great texts in <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28</a> and <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Amos 8:12</a>, show that the Messiah would be sought by them when they had utterly rejected Jesus. We do not believe that a genuine search for the Lord will ever be disappointed, but a vicious and vain search may be possible when the opportunity for due approach has gone by forever. Moments, catastrophes, did arrive in their tragic history when they had passionately desired, but in vain, to see one of the days of the Son of man. The individuals who turned to him found the veil which concealed him taken away (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-16.htm">2 Corinthians 3:16</a>). The nation as a whole was blinded; they crucified their King, the Lord of glory; and they brought uttermost extinction on themselves as a nation. "They sought their Messiah in vain" (Weiss). Where I am - in the glory in which I dwell, and to which I belong, and to which I am now inviting you - you cannot come. "The door will be shut;" you will not "have known the day of your visitation." "How often would I have gathered you, but ye would not!" The seeking cannot be the search of penitence, but of unavailing despair. You have the opportunity now. In a little while I go, and then you will find it impossible to follow me. <a href="/commentaries/john/7-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>You will look for ζητήσετέ (zētēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. Me, με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you will not find εὑρήσετέ (heurēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. Me; με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. where ὅπου (hopou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3699.htm">Strong's 3699: </a> Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am, εἰμὶ (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. cannot δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. come.” ἐλθεῖν (elthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/7-34.htm">John 7:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/7-34.htm">NT Gospels: John 7:34 You will seek me and won't find (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/7-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 7:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 7:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/7-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 7:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 7:35" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>