When they heard the words of Jesus, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”

Then each of them went home.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Today’s Gospel highlights the deep divisions Jesus causes. The crowd at the temple was arguing over where the Messiah was supposed to come from. “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?” It reminds us of how easy it is to get caught up with origins, labels, or particulars. The temple guards that were sent to arrest Jesus are converted by his words – “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” Their curiosity got the best of them as they had expected the Messiah to come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived. The Pharisees nearly missed that the Messiah was standing right in front of them. This passage captures the uncomfortable tension between what people see and what they are willing to believe. 

We are challenged to look beyond prejudice and rely on truth in our personal encounters. We are invited to notice our inner reactions—like contempt, doubt, or openness—and to stand with truth, like Nicodemus, despite the fear he had. We must be open to hearing Jesus’ voice, not just the noise of the crowd.

Above all, the beauty of this passage is that the guards found Jesus because they were willing to listen. Do not let your knowledge of how God should work keep you from seeing how God is working.

Where in your life have you been sent to “arrest” or judge, but found yourself disarmed by truth? How often do you listen with your heart and not with prejudices? 

—Ann Power Greene serves as Senior Director of Advancement Operation for the Midwest Jesuits. She is native of Cleveland and an alum of Gesu Catholic School in University Heights, OH.

Lord, help me to move past my superficial judgments. I bring to you the people or situations I am tempted to condemn without hearing them. Grant me the courage to stand for truth, even when it costs me comfort or status. Let my heart be open to your voice, which is unlike any other. 

—Author unknown