John 7:51

51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”

John 7:51 in Other Translations

51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

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

51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.

51 "Does our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?"

51 "Our law doesn't judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he's doing, does it?"

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 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,

51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”

52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

53 Then they all went home,