John 7:34
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Original Language Analysis
ζητήσετέ
Ye shall seek
G2212
ζητήσετέ
Ye shall seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
1 of 13
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
This echoes Proverbs 1:24-28 where rejected Wisdom becomes unavailable. Jesus will be accessible only during His earthly ministry; afterward, only believers access Him through faith. When Jerusalem falls (AD 70), Jews will seek deliverance but find none. Spiritually, those who reject Christ in this life cannot reach Him in the next. The early church understood this urgency, preaching immediate repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to seek Christ but not find Him?
- How does this warn about delayed response to the gospel?
- What is the relationship between present rejection and future inability to reach Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Jesus prophesies that His opponents will seek Him after His departure but find Him inaccessible. 'Where I am' refers to His heavenly session at the Father's right hand. 'Ye cannot come' indicates their spiritual inability to reach Him due to unbelief. This is solemn warning—opportunity for belief is limited; rejecting Christ now means eternal separation later. Reformed theology emphasizes the urgency of responding to Christ while opportunity exists.