Do Modern Versions Make Jesus a Liar in John 7:8-10?

King James Version Onlyists often accuse modern English versions of making Jesus a liar because of their readings in John 7:8-10.

John 7:8-10 KJV

8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

The KJV reads, "I go not up yet unto the feast..." Let's compare that to several other popular modern English versions.

LSB “Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not yet going up to this feast because My time has not yet been fulfilled.”

ESV "You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”

NASB "Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet fully arrived.”

NKJV "You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”

NIV "You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

The first thing one should notice is that the blanket accusation doesn't fit. The NKJV and LSB include the "yet". Setting those aside, let us answer the charge of lying. To aid in the brevity of this response, it is assumed that the reader understands the Bible's general condemnation of lying. Neither does this article address the notion of a noble lie (Rahab, Jonathan, etc.).

The accusation that Jesus lied to his brothers or that modern English versions imply that Jesus lied is the result of not considering the context of the passage. This error is often the result of lifting a single verse out of its immediate context. Here, the accuser must lift at least three verses out of the passage and disregard the context. When one considers the immediate context of the passage, the passage has a clear meaning even if verse eight were completely removed from the passage.

At a minimum the passage could be explained by suggesting that Jesus changed His mind about attending the feast. That supposition, however, is rejected outright by this author because of his confidence in the full sovereignty of God. Therefore, a change of mind is not an acceptable interpretation for this passage. The accusation must rise or fall on the context of the passage -- not the supposition that Jesus changed His mind.

In order to understand verses 8-10, we must consider verses 1-10. For demonstration purposes, let us consider the reading of the NIV since it is often used as the primary example of a perversion of the scripture:

John 7:1–11 (NIV)

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

First, we see that Jesus is aware that those in Judea are looking for an opportunity to kill Him. But as He explains to His brothers in verse six, His time has not yet fully come. That is to say, it is not time for Him to be betrayed, arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified.

Secondly, it should be noted that His brothers did not yet believe in Him (verse 5). They seemed to have been mocking the Lord at this time and attempting to goad Him into showing off for the crowds in Jerusalem. For this reason, Jesus makes it clear that He will not go with them to Jerusalem. Jesus' brother's remarks are consistent with those in Judea who demanded that Jesus give them a sign. He responded by telling them that His crucifixion and resurrection would be the only sign. Jesus' response and actions in delaying His trip to Jerusalem is also consistent with His teaching in parables. At times in His earthly ministry, He spoke in a veiled manner in public and gave a detailed explanation in private to His disciples.

It is obvious here, that Jesus knew more than His brothers did. Their goading could not alter the divine plan of God (Acts 4:26-28). He came to do the will of His Father, not to entertain the skeptics. Jesus did go up to Jerusalem. He did attend the feast, as the custom was. Knowing the mind of the Jewish leaders, He maintains a level of secrecy, perhaps in a similar way that He disappears and passes safely through the mob at Nazareth that sought to throw Him off the cliff.

Midway through the feast, Jesus reveals Himself in the Temple and begins to teach. During His sermon, He offers a scathing condemnation of the religious leaders and outs them by revealing the intention of their hearts, "Why are you trying to kill me?" (John 7:19 NIV)

Finally, Jesus' demonstrates His sovereignty over the situation in John 7:30,

John 7:30 KJV 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Had Jesus' brothers had their way, Jesus would have been spectacle for the skeptics. Had Jesus' brothers had their way, Jesus would have been captured by His critics. Had Jesus' brothers had their way, the will of God would have been thwarted by mocking men.

But Jesus, according the sovereign plan of God, tells His brothers that He is not going up to Jerusalem with them. When He does show Himself, it is days later. His delay and concealment of Himself was not a lie. Rather, it was a lovingly act of self-restraint. He who spoke Creation into existence could have shown the greatness of His power. Instead, Jesus fulfilled the custom of the Law in attending the feast in Jerusalem without compromising His divine plan. All of this is clearly seen when John 7:8-10 are read in the context of the passage they are found in.