John 7:47-49
The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Pharisees' question, "Have you also been deceived?" isn't just a rhetorical jab; it reveals their utter contempt for anyone—even their own officers—who might be swayed by Jesus' words instead of their religious elite. Their shock implies that only the ignorant masses could be fooled, not men of their supposed spiritual standing.
After Jesus finishes teaching in the temple, officers sent to arrest him return empty-handed, admitting that "Never man spoke like this man." The Pharisees, astonished and offended that their own agents are swayed by Jesus' words, demand to know if these officers have also been fooled. They dismiss the crowd as ignorant law-breakers, implying that only the learned elite, like themselves, can discern truth.
Why did the Pharisees so quickly dismiss the crowd's positive reaction to Jesus? It wasn't just a difference of opinion; it was a deep-seated contempt.
The Pharisees, hearing that the officers were impressed by Jesus' words, reacted with scorn. They didn't engage with what Jesus said or why the officers were moved. Instead, they asked, "Have you also been deceived?"
This reveals their arrogance. They believed that only the uneducated masses, the "mob" who "know not the law," could possibly be swayed by Jesus. The implication was clear: anyone of importance, anyone with true understanding (like themselves), would never fall for Jesus' teachings.
This attitude is rooted in pride and a closed-off mindset. They saw themselves as the guardians of religious truth, and Jesus' popularity with the common people was a threat to their authority and their self-perception.
The Pharisees claimed religious authority, yet their pride blinded them to God's truth. Discover how their self-assurance became their downfall.
The Pharisees' question, "Have you also been deceived?" wasn't an invitation to honest inquiry. It was a declaration of their unwavering conviction in their own correctness and Jesus' error.
They rested their authority not on God's Word, but on their position and tradition. They argued, "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?" (John 7:48). Their logic was circular: because the religious elite hadn't believed, Jesus must be wrong, and anyone who believed him was deceived.
This is the danger of self-righteousness. When we place our own understanding or our group's status above God's revealed truth, we become resistant to His work. The Pharisees, in their zeal to protect their hierarchy, missed the Messiah standing right in front of them.
Understand the original words
planaō · Greek Verb
To be led astray from the truth, often through false teaching, persuasion, or inner delusion.
archōn · Greek Noun
Those holding positions of power or influence, including members of the Sanhedrin or high-ranking religious officials.
Pharisaioi · Greek Noun
A Jewish sect characterized by strict adherence to the oral and written law, often noted for their legalism and opposition to Jesus.
nomos · Greek Noun
The set of divine instructions given to Israel through Moses, serving as the standard for holiness, moral conduct, and covenant life.
This exchange highlights the intense religious and political tension in Jerusalem during Jesus' ministry, as the established religious authorities (the Pharisees) desperately tried to maintain control and dismiss Jesus' growing influence.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and performing miracles in Galilee, attracting large crowds.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem (Feast of Tabernacles)
Jesus travels to Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, teaching openly in the temple. This leads to division and debate among the crowds and religious leaders.
c. 30 AD
Pharisees' Opposition to Jesus
The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, are deeply suspicious of Jesus and his teachings, viewing him as a threat to their authority and religious tradition.
c. 30 AD
Council of Jerusalem Considers Jesus
The Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court which included Pharisees and chief priests, discusses how to deal with Jesus' growing popularity and challenge to their authority. This is the context for the officers being sent to arrest him.
This passage highlights the 'foolishness' of the cross to those perishing, mirroring the Pharisees' dismissal of Jesus and anyone who believed in Him as deceived.
Acts 17:32-34This shows a similar reaction to Paul's preaching in Athens, where some mocked and others wanted to hear more, illustrating how different responses can arise from encountering challenging truth, much like the officers and Pharisees here.
Matthew 13:10-15Jesus quotes Isaiah, explaining why He speaks in parables – to prevent some from understanding, reflecting the Pharisees' hardened hearts that refused to see the truth even when presented clearly.
John 18:6This verse describes Jesus' divine authority causing Roman soldiers to fall backward, echoing the power in Jesus' words that awed the officers, even if the Pharisees refused to acknowledge it.
Luke 10:21Jesus rejoices that the Father has hidden things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children, contrasting the Pharisees' intellectual pride with the simple faith of those drawn to Jesus.
calvinJohn 7:45-53: "Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?"
- So the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, Why have you not brought him? 46. The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. 47. The Pharisees therefore answered them, And are you also seduced? 48. Hath any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed in him? 49. But this multitude, who know not the law, are accursed. 50.…
gillJohn 7:47: "Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?"
Then answered them the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? As well as the common people; you that have been so long in our service, and should know better; or who, at least, should have taken the sense of your superiors, and should have waited to have had their opinion and judgment of him, and been determined by that, and not so hastily have joined with a deluded set of people. It was the common character of Christ, and his apost…
The Pharisees' question, "Have you also been deceived?" isn't just a rhetorical jab; it reveals their utter contempt for anyone—even their own officers—who might be swayed by Jesus' words instead of their religious elite. Their shock implies that only the ignorant masses could be fooled, not men of their supposed spiritual standing.
After Jesus finishes teaching in the temple, officers sent to arrest him return empty-handed, admitting that "Never man spoke like this man." The Pharisees, astonished and offended that their own agents are swayed by Jesus' words, demand to know if these officers have also been fooled. They dismiss the crowd as ignorant law-breakers, implying that only the learned elite, like themselves, can discern truth.
After Jesus finishes teaching in the temple, officers sent to arrest him return empty-handed, admitting that "Never man spoke like this man." The Pharisees, astonished and offended that their own agents are swayed by Jesus' words, demand to know if these officers have also been fooled. They dismiss the crowd as ignorant law-breakers, implying that only the learned elite, like themselves, can discern truth.
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epikataratos · Greek Adjective
Under a curse or divine judgment; someone considered excluded from the covenant community or condemned by God.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus is eventually arrested, tried by the Sanhedrin, and condemned.
"The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”" — The Pharisees' question, "Have you also been deceived?" isn't just a rhetorical jab; it reveals their utter contempt for anyone—even their own officers—who might be swayed by Jesus' words instead of…
