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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 7:51 "Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/7-51.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_07_51.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 7:51 - Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?" /><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/7-51.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/7-51.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 51</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="/ad11.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/7-50.htm" title="John 7:50">◄</a> John 7:51 <a href="/john/7-52.htm" title="John 7:52">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/john/7.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked. <a href="/esv/john/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> "Does our Law judge the man unless first it has heard from him and known what he does?" <a href="/kjv/john/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? <a href="/nkjv/john/7.htm">New King James Version</a> “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” <a href="/nasb_/john/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” <a href="/nasb/john/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” <a href="/lsb/john/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Does our Law judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing?” <a href="/amp/john/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Does our Law convict someone without first giving him a hearing and finding out what he is [accused of] doing?” <a href="/csb/john/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Our law doesn’t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he’s doing, does it? ” <a href="/hcsb/john/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Our law doesn&#8217t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he&#8217s doing, does it?"&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth? <a href="/cev/john/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Our Law doesn't let us condemn people before we hear what they have to say. We cannot judge them before we know what they have done." <a href="/erv/john/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth? <a href="/gwt/john/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Do Moses' Teachings enable us to judge a person without first hearing that person's side of the story? We can't judge a person without finding out what that person has done." <a href="/gnt/john/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> "According to our Law we cannot condemn people before hearing them and finding out what they have done." <a href="/isv/john/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Surely our Law does not condemn a person without first hearing from him and finding out what he is doing, does it?" <a href="/msb/john/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?? <a href="/net/john/7.htm">NET Bible</a> "Our law doesn't condemn a man unless it first hears from him and learns what he is doing, does it?" <a href="/nheb/john/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Does our Law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?" <a href="/wbt/john/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Doth our law judge any man before it heareth him, and knoweth what he doeth? <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Does our Law," he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?" <a href="/web/john/7.htm">World English Bible</a> “Does our law judge a man unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Does our law judge the Man, if it may not hear from Him first, and know what He does?” <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> "Does our Law judge the man unless first it has heard from him and known what he does?" <a href="/ylt/john/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Doth our law judge the man, if it may not hear from him first, and know what he doth?' <a href="/slt/john/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Our law judges not a man, except it first hear from him, and know what he does.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Doth our law judge any man, unless it first hear him, and know what he doth? <a href="/cpdv/john/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Does our law judge a man, unless it has first heard him and has known what he has done?” <a href="/nabre/john/7.htm">New American Bible</a> “Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” <a href="/nrsvce/john/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Does our law convict a man, unless it first hears from him, and knows what he has done? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Does our Written Law condemn a man unless one shall hear him first and know what he has done?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Does our law condemn a man unless it first hear from him, and know what he does? <a href="/godbey/john/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Whether does our law judge a man, until it may first hear from him and know what he does? <a href="/haweis/john/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Doth our law condemn a man, without first hearing his defence, and knowing what he hath done? <a href="/mace/john/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> said to them, said to them, doth our law condemn any man before he is heard, without knowing the fact? <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Does our Law," he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?" <a href="/worrell/john/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> "Does our law judge a man, unless it first hear from him, and know what he does?" <a href="/worsley/john/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> being one of them, saith to them, Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he hath done? <a href="/parallel/john/7-51.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2666" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders</a> …50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who himself was one of them, asked, 51<a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“Does our</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/3551.htm" title="3551: nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</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/2919.htm" title="2919: krinei (V-PIA-3S) -- Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.">convict</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."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></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.">without</a> <a href="/greek/4412.htm" title="4412: prōton (Adv-S) -- First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.">first</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akousē (V-ASA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">hearing</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: par’ (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnō (V-ASA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">to determine</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">he has done?”</a> 52“Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Deuteronomy 1:16-17</a> At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1</a> “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2</a> You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a> Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a> He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Proverbs 18:17</a> The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. <a href="/isaiah/11-3.htm">Isaiah 11:3-4</a> And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1-4</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ... <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a> They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. <a href="/acts/23-3.htm">Acts 23:3</a> Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.” <a href="/acts/25-16.htm">Acts 25:16</a> I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges. <a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30</a> I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/8-15.htm">John 8:15-16</a> You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. / But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. <a href="/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46</a> Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?<a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Deuteronomy 1:17</a> Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-11</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15-19</a> One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Ascertaining</a> <a href="/john/3-17.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/john/7-7.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/john/7-36.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/6-64.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/6-60.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/5-24.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/john/6-45.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/john/7-24.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/john/5-29.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/john/7-49.htm">Law</a> <a href="/daniel/5-16.htm">Personally</a> <a href="/john/6-65.htm">Unless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Ascertaining</a> <a href="/john/8-10.htm">Condemn</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Conduct</a> <a href="/john/7-52.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/john/11-29.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/john/8-15.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/john/12-31.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/john/8-3.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/1-22.htm">Personally</a> <a href="/john/8-24.htm">Unless</a><div class="vheading2">John 7</div>1. <a href="/john/7-1.htm">Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;</a> 10. <a href="/john/7-10.htm">goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles;</a> 14. <a href="/john/7-14.htm">teaches in the temple.</a> 40. <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Various opinions of him among the people.</a> 45. <a href="/john/7-45.htm">The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, </a> 50. <a href="/john/7-50.htm">and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Does our law convict a man This phrase refers to the Jewish legal system, which was based on the Mosaic Law. The law emphasized justice and fairness, requiring evidence and testimony before a conviction. This reflects the principle found in <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Deuteronomy 1:16-17</a>, where judges are instructed to hear cases fairly. The question posed here highlights the importance of due process, a concept that is foundational in both ancient and modern legal systems.without first hearing from him The requirement to hear from the accused is rooted in the legal traditions of ancient Israel, where a fair trial was essential. This principle is echoed in <a href="/exodus/23.htm">Exodus 23:1-3</a>, which warns against spreading false reports and emphasizes impartiality. The practice of hearing from the accused ensures that justice is not only done but seen to be done, preventing wrongful convictions.to determine what he has done? This part of the verse underscores the need for a thorough investigation to establish the facts of a case. It aligns with the biblical mandate for truth and justice, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a>, which warns against answering a matter before hearing it. The emphasis on determining the actions of the accused reflects a commitment to truth, ensuring that judgments are based on evidence rather than assumptions or hearsay.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a> A Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. He previously visited Jesus at night to inquire about His teachings (John 3). 2. <a href="/topical/s/sanhedrin.htm">Sanhedrin</a> The Jewish ruling council responsible for religious and legal matters. They were debating how to deal with Jesus, whom they saw as a threat to their authority. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the New Testament, whose teachings and miracles were causing division among the Jewish leaders. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes principles of justice and fairness, such as the requirement for a fair hearing. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where these events took place, a central location for Jewish religious and political life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/principle_of_justice.htm">Principle of Justice</a> The importance of due process and hearing all sides before making a judgment is a biblical principle that should guide our interactions and decisions. <a href="/topical/c/courage_to_speak_up.htm">Courage to Speak Up</a> Nicodemus demonstrates courage by speaking up for justice, even when it is unpopular. We are called to stand for truth and fairness, even in challenging situations. <a href="/topical/o/open-mindedness.htm">Open-mindedness</a> Nicodemus' willingness to question and seek understanding is a model for us to remain open to God's truth, even when it challenges our preconceived notions. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_law.htm">Role of the Law</a> The law is meant to protect and ensure justice. As Christians, we should respect and uphold laws that align with biblical principles of justice and mercy. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_truth.htm">Seeking Truth</a> Like Nicodemus, we should seek to understand Jesus' teachings deeply and be willing to defend them when necessary.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 7</a> <a href="/q/who_was_nicodemus_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_the_leaves_symbolize_for_healing.htm">What events occurred on Day 6 of the journey?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_bible_versions_differ_in_doctrine.htm">If the Bible is perfect, why do different versions translate key doctrines differently (e.g., John 1:1 in the NWT vs. ESV)?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_spirit_convict_of.htm">What does the Holy Spirit convict the world of?</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>(51) Doth our law judge any man?--He identifies Himself with them. He, like they, is an expounder of the Law. The force of the question is in the word "Law," which they had used but the moment before in their scorn for the people who knew not the Law. "Well, this Law, which we do know and understand, doth it judge without open investigation?" Did they in their blind zeal forget such passages as <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm" title="You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.">Exodus 23:1</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/1-16.htm" title="And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brothers, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.">Deuteronomy 1:16-17</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm" title="One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>? They had determined a death, and were seeking to carry their sentence into effect in direct contravention of the Law. This holy people, instructed in the Law--they were the Law-breakers.Before it hear him.--The better reading is, unless it hear first from him.And know what he doeth--i.e., know the deed for which he is tried. <a href="/commentaries/john/7-51.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“{Does} our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. law νόμος (nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. convict κρίνει (krinei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2919.htm">Strong's 2919: </a> Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish. a man ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. without μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. first πρῶτον (prōton) Adverb - Superlative <a href="/greek/strongs_4412.htm">Strong's 4412: </a> First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly. hearing ἀκούσῃ (akousē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. from παρ’ (par’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. him αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. to determine γνῷ (gnō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. he has done?” ποιεῖ (poiei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/7-51.htm">John 7:51 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/7-51.htm">NT Gospels: John 7:51 Does our law judge a man unless (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/7-50.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 7:50"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 7:50" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/7-52.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 7:52"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 7:52" /></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>