John 7 is set at the Feast of Tabernacles, when Israel lived in shelters to remember God's care in the wilderness. Each morning a priest carried water from the pool of Siloam and poured it out at the altar. Jesus' brothers mocked Him, urging Him to show off. But Jesus moved on His Father's timing, not theirs. He went up privately and then taught openly in the temple.
The chapter is full of questions about Jesus. Is He a good man or a deceiver? Where did He get His learning? Is He the Christ? Jesus said that whoever is willing to do God's will would recognize that His teaching was from God. He pointed out that the leaders circumcised on the Sabbath but condemned Him for making a man whole. He told them not to judge by appearance, but with righteous judgment.
On the last and greatest day, Jesus stood and cried out with a bold invitation. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water. The water ceremony looked back to the rock in the wilderness. Jesus said He is the true source. The officers sent to arrest Him returned empty-handed, saying, No man ever spoke like this man! The Pharisees scorned the crowd, but Nicodemus reminded them that the law requires hearing a person first. Then everyone went home, still divided.