John 7:51

51 ¹“Does our law judge a man without first ²giving him a hearing and learning 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 that does not know the law is accursed. ”

50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,

51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does? ”

52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee. ”[The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11. ]

53 [[They went each to his own house,

Cross References

• 1. 7:51 Deut. 17:6; 19:15; [Acts 23:3]
• 2. 7:51 Deut. 1:16; Prov. 18:13