John 7:3

3. His brethren His brothers. That these were the sons of Joseph and Mary would scarcely have been questioned but for doctrinal reasons. See note on Matthew 10:3; Matthew 13:55. Their names were James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. As Jesus was the eldest, and but slightly over thirty, these must have been in their green young manhood. This must account for their ambitious half-belief and half-disbelief of the Messiahship of Jesus. They believed a miraculous basis for success to be in him if he will only show it out to the world; but he does not realize their idea of a divine, warlike, hero Messiah. After the sad yet wonderful events of the crucifixion and resurrection these brothers believed! They consented to accept as Messiah a Saviour of the world, instead of a Liberator of the Jews. This very James became “James the Just,” the author of the Epistle of James, the bishop of Jerusalem, and the martyr to the faith he here disowns. And this Judas is the Jude author of the Epistle bearing that name.

Depart hence Leave this obscure provincial Galilee.

Go into Judea Go to the headquarters of pure Judaism, to the great metropolis.

Thy disciples Who will be assembled in their fullest force at the feast, whether they belong to Judea or Galilee. They were doubtless aware that in eastern Judea the preaching of John and Jesus both had won many disciples to Christ.

See the works They believed that he could show works that might justify the faith of his disciples.