Bible Strands
John 7:34
You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, declaring He will remain with them only briefly before returning to the One who sent Him.
The words — ζητὴσετε (zētēsete) translates to "you will seek," directly paired with εὑρήσετε (heurēsete) "you will find," which the text presents as a completed action that will fail.
The thread — The text's claim of futile pursuit runs through John 13:33 where Jesus repeats the warning, and aligns with Proverbs 1:24 and Hosea 5:6 regarding those who seek God while rejecting His call.
Why it lands — The text states that physical proximity to Jesus cannot substitute for divine invitation, requiring readers to respond to His presence before He withdraws.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- John 13:33 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.’
- Hosea 5:6 They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.
- Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
- John 8:21 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.”
- John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
- Matthew 23:39 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.’”
- Luke 13:24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.