John 7:51

51 "Does our Law," he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?"

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 rabble who understand nothing about the Law are accursed!"

50 Nicodemus interposed--he who had formerly gone to Jesus, being himself one of them.

51 "Does our Law," he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?"

52 "Do you also come from Galilee?" they asked in reply. "Search and see for yourself that no Prophet is of Galilaean origin."

53 [So they went away to their several homes;