John 7:51

51 Does our law judge a man before it have first heard from himself, and know what he does?

John 7:51 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:51

Doth our law judge any man
Or condemn any man; or can any man be lawfully condemned:

before it hear him:
what he has to say for himself; is this the usual process in our courts? or is this a legal one to condemn a man unheard?

and know what he doth?
what his crimes are. This he said, having a secret respect for Christ, though he had not courage enough openly to appear for him.

John 7:51 In-Context

49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, are accursed.

50 Nicodemus says to them (being one of themselves),

51 Does our law judge a man before it have first heard from himself, and know what he does?

52 They answered and said to him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look, that no prophet arises out of Galilee.

53 And every one went to his home.