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)
This question isn't just about belief; it's a sneering dismissal of Jesus based on who isn't following him. The authorities are essentially saying, "Look, the important people—the ones who really matter—aren't buying this, so why should anyone else?" They're using social status and perceived wisdom as their ultimate litmus test for truth, completely ignoring the divine power in Jesus' own words.
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)
After Jesus's teaching causes a stir and division among the crowds, Temple guards are sent to arrest Him but are so captivated by His words they don't. When questioned by the chief priests and Pharisees about their failure, the guards admit no one has ever spoken like Jesus, leading the religious leaders to scoff and dismiss the crowd as ignorant. This leads to a tense exchange where the leaders assert their authority and dismiss anyone who believes in Jesus, questioning if any of their own esteemed group have done so.
The religious leaders dismissed Jesus, not because his message lacked truth, but because the wrong people were listening to him. Ever feel judged by who you hang out with?
When the temple officers reported back, amazed by Jesus' words, the religious elite were more concerned with who believed than what was being said. They retorted, 'Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?' (John 7:48). This question reveals their deep-seated pride and reliance on human authority. They believed that if someone were truly from God, the established leaders and respected Pharisees would be the first to recognize and follow Him.
Their reasoning was flawed because it placed human authority above divine truth. They assumed their position and adherence to the law were sufficient proof of their spiritual discernment. However, as Calvin notes, this 'arrogance of men' led them to 'trample under foot morality and religion.' They used their authority as a shield, not a guide, to truth. This is a timeless trap: letting the status of the messenger or the audience dictate the validity of the message, rather than examining the message itself.
Even the temple guards were floored by Jesus' words. But admiration didn't automatically lead to belief. What's the difference between being impressed and being transformed?
The temple officers sent to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed, stunned by his powerful words. They reported, 'Never man spoke like this man!' (John 7:46). This was a moment of profound spiritual exposure for them. They felt the undeniable weight and truth of Jesus' message. Yet, their admiration didn't translate into discipleship.
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Calvin points out the tragic disconnect: 'Those officers acknowledge that they are subdued and vanquished by the word of Christ, and yet they do not on that account repent or give due honor to the word.' They were intellectually convinced of Jesus' extraordinary speaking ability, perhaps even sensing divine authority, but this recognition didn't break through their allegiance to the religious establishment or compel them to follow Him. They remained in the 'enemy's camp,' as Calvin puts it, choosing admiration over commitment. This illustrates how conviction without commitment can leave a person unchanged, still bound by the world's systems.
Amidst the elite's closed-mindedness, one ruler dared to question their methods. What does Nicodemus's cautious intervention teach us about faith in hostile territory?
When the Pharisees lashed out, questioning why Jesus wasn't brought to them, Nicodemus, himself a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up. He appealed to their own law: 'Does our law judge a man without first hearing him and knowing what he has done?' (John 7:51). This simple question, rooted in their own legal framework, challenged their hasty condemnation of Jesus.
Nicodemus represents a fragile but vital element: the individual conscience wrestling with injustice, even within a corrupt system. While Calvin notes Nicodemus's timidity – he still came to Jesus 'by night' and didn't openly defend him – his intervention was crucial. It demonstrated that even within the ranks of the opposition, there were individuals who could recognize basic principles of justice and truth. His action, though small, planted a seed of dissent against the mob mentality and pride of the religious leaders. It reminds us that God can work through those who are not yet fully committed but who possess a core sense of fairness and a willingness to question unjust proceedings.
Understand the original words
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.
epikataratos · Greek Adjective
Under a curse or divine judgment; someone considered excluded from the covenant community or condemned by God.
The question reflects the intense political and religious polarization of Jesus' day, where the established authorities, particularly the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, viewed him with suspicion and actively sought reasons to discredit him, using the lack of belief among their own ranks as supposed proof against him.
c. 27 BC - AD 30
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea is under Roman occupation, with a Roman governor often wielding significant power alongside the Jewish Sanhedrin. This political tension and the desire for a messianic deliverer shape the atmosphere.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and gathering followers throughout Galilee and Judea. His message and miracles challenge the established religious and political order.
c. AD 30
Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem
Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple courts. This public appearance draws significant crowds and attention from the authorities.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Teaching and Confrontation
During the feast, Jesus engages in public teaching, leading to division and debate among the crowds and religious leaders. Some question his authority and origin.
c. AD 30
Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus
Temple guards are dispatched to arrest Jesus, but they return without him, impressed by his teaching and unable to lay hands on him. This frustrates the chief priests and Pharisees.
c. AD 30
Nicodemus Defends Jesus' Trial
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, subtly defends Jesus' right to a fair hearing, highlighting the leaders' prejudice and haste.
This passage echoes the sentiment in John 7:48 by highlighting how God often chooses the humble and overlooked, rather than the 'wise' or 'powerful' by worldly standards, to advance His kingdom.
Acts 4:13Here we see a similar dynamic where the boldness and wisdom of Peter and John, who were recognized as 'uneducated, ordinary men,' astonished the religious leaders, much like the way Jesus' teaching baffled the authorities.
Matthew 11:25Jesus Himself rejoices that God has hidden His truths from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants, directly challenging the notion presented in John 7:48 that belief should be dictated by the status of the authorities.
John 12:42This verse provides a poignant example of the very situation implied in John 7:48, stating that 'many even of the authorities believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it.' It shows the pressure these leaders faced to conform.
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 7:48: "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"
Have any of the rulers,.... In the sanhedrim, or of the synagogues; or the civil magistrates, the noble, rich, and wealthy: or of the Pharisees, believed on him; men famous for wisdom, learning, and holiness. It must be owned, there were but very few of this sort, and perhaps not an instance of this kind had as yet occurred to them; there was Nicodemus, who is mentioned in the context, who was both a ruler and a Pharisee;…
This question isn't just about belief; it's a sneering dismissal of Jesus based on who isn't following him. The authorities are essentially saying, "Look, the important people—the ones who really matter—aren't buying this, so why should anyone else?" They're using social status and perceived wisdom as their ultimate litmus test for truth, completely ignoring the divine power in Jesus' own words.
After Jesus's teaching causes a stir and division among the crowds, Temple guards are sent to arrest Him but are so captivated by His words they don't. When questioned by the chief priests and Pharisees about their failure, the guards admit no one has ever spoken like Jesus, leading the religious leaders to scoff and dismiss the crowd as ignorant. This leads to a tense exchange where the leaders assert their authority and dismiss anyone who believes in Jesus, questioning if any of their own esteemed group have done so.
After Jesus's teaching causes a stir and division among the crowds, Temple guards are sent to arrest Him but are so captivated by His words they don't. When questioned by the chief priests and Pharisees about their failure, the guards admit no one has ever spoken like Jesus, leading the religious leaders to scoff and dismiss the crowd as ignorant. This leads to a tense exchange where the leaders assert their authority and dismiss anyone who believes in Jesus, questioning if any of their own esteemed group have done so.
"Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”" — This question isn't just about belief; it's a sneering dismissal of Jesus based on who isn't following him. The authorities are essentially saying, "Look, the important people—the ones who really…
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Last reviewed October 2026