John 7:51

51 Does our law judge any man before it hears him and knows 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 people who do not know the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus said unto them (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them),

51 Does our law judge any man before it hears him and knows what he does?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and see, for a prophet has never arisen out of Galilee.

53 And each one went unto his own house.