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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 7:49 But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/7-49.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/43_Jhn_07_49.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 7:49 - Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/7-49.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/7-49.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 49</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/7-48.htm" title="John 7:48">◄</a> John 7:49 <a href="/john/7-50.htm" title="John 7:50">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the law—they are under a curse.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd, not knowing the Law, are accursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But this multitude which does not know the Law is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But this [ignorant, contemptible] crowd that does not know the Law is accursed <i>and</i> doomed!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd, which doesn’t know the law, is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd, which doesn&#8217t know the law, is accursed!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And these people who don't know the Law are under God's curse anyway." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But this multitude which knoweth not the law are accursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This crowd is cursed because it doesn't know Moses' Teachings."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This crowd does not know the Law of Moses, so they are under God's curse!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But this mob that does not know the Law—they're under a curse!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the law?they are under a curse.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But this rabble who do not know the law are accursed!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But this people who know not the law are cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But this rabble who understand nothing about the Law are accursed!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />But this multitude, that is not knowing the Law, is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd, not knowing the Law, are accursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> but this multitude, that is not knowing the law, is accursed.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But the crowd, not knowing the law, are cursed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But this multitude, that knoweth not the law, are accursed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But this crowd, which does not know the law, they are accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Except this cursed people, who do not know the law?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“However, this people who do not know The Written Law are damned.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But this multitude that know not the law are cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But this crowd knowing not the law are accursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But this rabble, which knoweth not the law, is accursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but the populace, who are ignorant of the law, are such wretches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But this rabble who understand nothing about the Law are accursed!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But this multitude, who know not the law, are accursed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />but these people, who know not the law, are cursed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/7-49.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2655" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">48</span>“Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? <span class="reftext">49</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3793.htm" title="3793: ochlos (N-NMS) -- From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.">crowd</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">does not know</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">they are</a> <a href="/greek/1944.htm" title="1944: eparatoi (Adj-NMP) -- From epi and a derivative of kataraomai; imprecated, i.e. Execrable.">under a curse.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">50</span>Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who himself was one of them, asked,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-34.htm">John 9:34</a></span><br />They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-42.htm">John 12:42-43</a></span><br />Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. / For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10</a></span><br />“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">1 Corinthians 1:26-29</a></span><br />Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Acts 4:13</a></span><br />When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-1.htm">Isaiah 53:1</a></span><br />Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4-5</a></span><br />Then I said, “They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. / I will go to the powerful and speak to them. Surely they know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.” But they too, with one accord, had broken the yoke and torn off the chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Luke 18:11</a></span><br />The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-8.htm">1 Corinthians 2:8</a></span><br />None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a></span><br />Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a></span><br />Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But this people who knows not the law are cursed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/9-34.htm">John 9:34,40</a></b></br> They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21</a></b></br> Woe unto <i>them that are</i> wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm">Isaiah 28:14</a></b></br> Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/25-41.htm">Accursed</a> <a href="/john/7-43.htm">Crowd</a> <a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/mark/14-21.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/john/7-23.htm">Law</a> <a href="/mark/15-15.htm">Mob</a> <a href="/john/7-43.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-42.htm">Rabble</a> <a href="/john/3-10.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/9-3.htm">Accursed</a> <a href="/john/11-42.htm">Crowd</a> <a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/romans/9-3.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/john/7-51.htm">Law</a> <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Mob</a> <a href="/john/11-42.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/exodus/12-38.htm">Rabble</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">John 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-1.htm">Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-10.htm">goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-14.htm">teaches in the temple.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-40.htm">Various opinions of him among the people.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-45.htm">The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/7-50.htm">and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But this crowd</b><br>The term "crowd" refers to the general populace present during Jesus' ministry. In the context of <a href="/john/7.htm">John 7</a>, the crowd consists of Jewish people gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival was one of the three major Jewish feasts, drawing large numbers of people to the city. The crowd's diverse composition included those who were curious about Jesus, those who believed in Him, and those who were skeptical or hostile.<p><b>that does not know the law</b><br>The "law" here refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were central to Jewish religious life. The Pharisees, who are speaking in this verse, prided themselves on their knowledge and interpretation of the law. They viewed themselves as the guardians of religious orthodoxy. The statement implies a disdain for the common people, whom the Pharisees considered ignorant of the law's intricacies. This reflects a broader cultural divide between the religious elite and the laypeople, who often lacked formal education in the Scriptures.<p><b>they are under a curse</b><br>The idea of being "under a curse" is rooted in <a href="/deuteronomy/27.htm">Deuteronomy 27-28</a>, where blessings and curses are pronounced based on obedience or disobedience to God's law. The Pharisees' statement suggests that ignorance of the law equates to being cursed, as they believed that proper knowledge and observance of the law were necessary for God's favor. This reflects a legalistic perspective, contrasting with Jesus' teaching that emphasized the spirit of the law and the importance of faith and grace. The Pharisees' view also highlights their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, which was to fulfill the law and offer salvation to all, regardless of their social or educational status.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a></b><br>A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and oral traditions. They often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the law and spiritual authority.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>Refers to the general populace attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The Pharisees viewed them as ignorant of the law and thus spiritually inferior.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/feast_of_tabernacles.htm">Feast of Tabernacles</a></b><br>A major Jewish festival held in Jerusalem, commemorating the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and God's provision. It serves as the backdrop for the events in <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">John 7</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>Central figure in the Gospel of John, whose teachings and actions challenge the religious leaders and offer a new understanding of God's law and grace.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a></b><br>A Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who appears later in <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">John 7</a>, advocating for a fair hearing for Jesus, contrasting with the other Pharisees' attitudes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_law.htm">Understanding the Law</a></b><br>The Pharisees' statement reflects a misunderstanding of the law's purpose. The law was meant to guide people to God, not to be a tool for judgment or exclusion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_elitism.htm">Spiritual Elitism</a></b><br>The Pharisees' attitude warns against spiritual elitism, where knowledge of scripture becomes a source of pride rather than a means to serve and love others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/true_knowledge_of_god.htm">True Knowledge of God</a></b><br>True knowledge of God is not merely intellectual but relational, involving a heart transformed by His love and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judging_others.htm">Judging Others</a></b><br>We must be cautious not to judge others' spiritual standing based on external knowledge or adherence to religious practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth, helping us understand and apply God's word beyond mere intellectual comprehension.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_nicodemus_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/genesis_34_27-29__how_does_it_align_with_later_laws.htm">Genesis 34:27-29 - How does the looting and enslavement of the city align with later biblical laws condemning such acts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_proverbs_7_and_john_8_1-11_compare.htm">How does Proverbs 7's cautionary message align or conflict with the theme of grace and redemption found in John 8:1-11?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jesus_attend_the_feast_secretly.htm">John 7:10 - How could Jesus go to the Feast secretly when such a gathering would have been highly public?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(49) <span class= "bld">But this people who knoweth not the law . . .</span>--The words express "Those people there, among whom you have been, and with whose opinion you have been coinciding, instead of holding the authoritative opinion which we have declared, and which we alone can declare. We are the interpreters of the Law, and have the key of knowledge. That ignorant rabble uninstructed in the Law are cursed."<p><span class= "bld">Are cursed.</span>--The writings of the Rabbis are full of scorn and contempt for the untutored multitude, whom they called <span class= "ital">'am h??retz,</span> "people of the earth," as opposed to those instructed in the Law, whom they called <span class= "ital">'?m k?desh,</span> "holy people." These words are an expression of this contempt. Some have supposed that they are meant to express the ban of excommunication, which they use as a weapon of compulsion in <a href="/john/9-22.htm" title="These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.">John 9:22</a>, but this is quite out of the question as applied here to the multitude.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 49.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But this multitude, which knoweth not the Law,</span> are <span class="cmt_word">accursed.</span> This is a most contemptuous expression - <span class="accented">am-ha-'arez</span>, equivalent to "this scum of the earth," "the unlettered rabble." The Pharisees were accustomed to show sovereign contempt for those who had no admission to their own culture and methods of knowledge. Edersheim and Wunsche quote 'Pes.,' 49, <span class="accented">b</span>; 'Baba,' B. 8, <span class="accented">b</span>; and 'Chetub.,' 3:6 in proof of the utter inhumanity of their judgments. This language did not endorse a formal excommunication of the multitude - a supposition in its own nature impossible and absurd - but it expressed the brusque and harsh contempt with which the Pharisees then present wished to correct the weak compliance of their own servants. Lange presses the utterance too far. We cannot see in it more than the bitter outburst of their pent-up spite. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/7-49.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλὰ</span> <span class="translit">(alla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">οὗτος</span> <span class="translit">(houtos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">crowd</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄχλος</span> <span class="translit">(ochlos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3793.htm">Strong's 3793: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does not know</span><br /><span class="grk">γινώσκων</span> <span class="translit">(ginōskōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Law,</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰσιν</span> <span class="translit">(eisin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under a curse.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπάρατοί</span> <span class="translit">(eparatoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1944.htm">Strong's 1944: </a> </span><span class="str2">From epi and a derivative of kataraomai; imprecated, i.e. Execrable.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/7-49.htm">John 7:49 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/7-49.htm">NT Gospels: John 7:49 But this multitude that doesn't know (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/7-48.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 7:48"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 7:48" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/7-50.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 7:50"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 7:50" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>