Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 7:49
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
49. this people ] Very contemptuous; this multitude of yours (comp. 35, 36), whose ignorant fancies you prefer to our deliberate decisions.
who knoweth not the law ] The form of negative used implies censure; knoweth not when it ought to know. They ought to know that a sabbath-breaker cannot be the Messiah.
are cursed ] A mere outburst of theological fury. A formal excommunication of the whole multitude by the Sanhedrin (comp. Joh 9:22) would be impossible. How could such a sentence be executed on the right individuals? It was reserved for a Christian hierarchy to invent the interdict. Excommunication en masse was unknown to the Jews.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This people – The word here translated people is the one commonly rendered the multitude. It is a word expressive of contempt, or, as we would say, the rabble. It denotes the scorn which they felt that the people should presume to judge for themselves in a case pertaining to their own salvation.
Who knoweth not the law – Who have not been instructed in the schools of the Pharisees, and been taught to interpret the Old Testament as they had. They supposed that any who believed on the humble and despised Jesus must be, of course, ignorant of the true doctrines of the Old Testament, as they held that a very different Messiah from him was foretold. Many instances are preserved in the writings of the Jews of the great contempt in which the Pharisees held the common people. It may here be remarked that Christianity is the only system of religion ever presented to man that in a proper manner regards the poor, the ignorant, and the needy. Philosophers and Pharisees, in all ages, have looked on them with contempt.
Are cursed – Are execrable; are of no account; are worthy only of contempt and perdition. Some suppose that there is reference here to their being worthy to be cut off from the people for believing on him, or worthy to be put out of the synagogue (see Joh 9:22); but it seems to be an expression only of contempt; a declaration that they were a rabble, ignorant, unworthy of notice, and going to ruin. Observe, however:
- That of this despised people were chosen most of those who became Christians.
- That if the people were ignorant, it was the fault of the Pharisees and rulers. It was their business to see that they were taught.
- There is no way so common of attempting to oppose Christianity as by ridiculing its friends as poor, and ignorant, and weak, and credulous. As well might food, and raiment, and friendship, and patriotism be held in contempt because the poor need the one or possess the other.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 49. This people] , This rabble. The common people were treated by the Pharisees with the most sovereign contempt: they were termed am ha-arets, people of the earth; and were not thought worthy to have a resurrection to eternal life. Wagenseil and Schoettgen have given many proofs of the contempt in which the common people were held by the Pharisees. Those who were disciples of any of the rabbins were considered as being in a much better state. When they paid well, they purchased their masters’ good opinion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Out of the great pride of their hearts they vilify the people, as not learned in the law, and so were cursed, contemptible, and not to be regarded, as to their judgment and sentiments.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
49. But this peopleliterally,”multitude,” meaning the ignorant rabble. (Pitythese important distinctions, so marked in the original of thisGospel, should not be also in our version.)
knoweth not the lawthatis, by school learning, which only subverted it by human traditions.
are curseda cursed set(a kind of swearing at them, out of mingled rage and scorn).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. With great contempt they style the followers of Jesus “this people”; the common people, the dregs of them, the refuse of the earth; and whom they call, , “the people of the earth”, in distinction from the wise men, and their disciples: and when they speak the best of them, their account is this p;
“one of the people of the earth is one that has moral excellencies, but not intellectual ones; that is, there is in him common civility, but the law is not in him;”
as here, “who knoweth not the law”: they always reckon them very ignorant. Says one q of their writers,
“they that are without knowledge are the multitude.”
And elsewhere it is said r,
“the old men of the people of the earth, when they grow old their knowledge is disturbed (or is lost), as it is said,
Job 12:20, but so it is not with the old men of the law, when they grow old, their knowledge rests upon them, as it is said, Job 12:12, “with the ancient is wisdom”.”
Upon which one of the commentators s has this gloss;
“these are the disciples of the wise men; for the people of the earth, what wisdom is there in them?”
By the “law” here, is meant either the written law of Moses, which the Pharisees boasted of, and of their knowledge of it, as having the key of knowledge to open it; as understanding the true sense, and capable of giving a right interpretation of it, to the people; though they themselves were wretchedly ignorant of it, as appears by their false glosses on it, refuted by our Lord in Mt 5:17; or else the oral law is here intended, which they pretended was given by word of mouth to Moses, and handed down to posterity from one to another; and this lay among the doctors: they tell us t, that Moses received it at Sinai, and delivered it to Joshua, and Joshua to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets to the men of the great synagogue (Ezra’s), the last of which was Simeon the just: Antigonus, a man of Socho, received it from him; and Jose ben Joezer, and Jose ben Jochanan, received it from him; and Joshua ben Perachia, (whom they sometimes say was the master of Jesus of Nazareth,) and Nittai the Arbelite, received it from them; by whom it was delivered to Judah ben Tabia, and Simeon ben Shetach; and from them it was received by Shemaiah, and Abtalion, who delivered it to Hillell, and Shammai; who, or whose scholars, were, at this time, when these words were spoken, the present possessors of it, and taught it their disciples in their schools: and thus it was handed down from one to another, until the times of R. Judah, who collected the whole of the traditions of the elders together, and published it under the title of the Misna; and then, as Maimonides says u, it was revealed to all Israel; whereas before it was but in a few hands, who instructed others in it; but as for the common people, they knew little of it, especially of the nice distinctions and decisions of it; and these people were always had in great contempt by the wise men: they would not receive a testimony from them, nor give one for them, nor deliver a secret to them, nor proclaim anything of theirs that was lost, nor walk with them in the way, nor make a guardian of any of them w. The people of the earth were not reckoned holy or religious x, but generally profane and wicked; that they were abandoned to sin, rejected of God, and to be cast off by men; yea, they will not allow that they shall rise again at the last day, unless it be for the sake of some wise men they are allied unto, or have done some service for. They say y
“whoever ministers in the light of the law, the light of the law will quicken him; but whoever does not minister in the light of the law, the light of the law will not quicken him–though it is possible for such an one to cleave to the Shekinah–for everyone that marries his daughter to a scholar of a wise man, or makes merchandise for the disciples of the wise men, and they receive any advantage from his goods, this brings on him what is written, as if he cleaved to the Shekinah.”
Thus we see in what contempt the common people were with the learned doctors, and what an opinion these men had of the followers of Christ; though, in truth, they were not so ignorant of the law as themselves: they knew the spirituality of it, that it reached to the thoughts of the heart, as well as to external actions; they knew what it required, and their own impotence to answer its demands; they knew the wrath, terror, and curses of it, and that Christ only was the fulfilling end of it, for righteousness to those that believed in him: and they were far from being cursed persons: they were blessed with all spiritual blessings: with the pardon of their sins, and the justification of their persons; with grace and peace in their souls, and would be introduced as the blessed of the Father into his kingdom and glory.
p Maimon. in Pirke Abot, c. 2. sect. 5. & c. 5. sect. 7. q Abarbinel in proph. post. fol. 473. r Misn. Kenim, c. 3. sect. 6. Vid. T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 152. 1. s Bartenora in Misn. ib. t Pirke Abot, c. 1. sect. 1-12. u Praefat. ad Yad Hazaka. w Buxtorf. Lex. Talmud. col. 1626. x Ib. Florileg. Heb. p. 276. y T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 111. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This multitude ( ). The Pharisees had a scorn for the amhaaretz or “people of the earth” (cf. our “clod-hoppers”) as is seen in rabbinic literature. It was some of the (multitude at the feast especially from Galilee) who had shown sympathy with Jesus (John 7:12; John 7:28).
Which knoweth not the law ( ). Present active articular participle of with usual negative of the participle in the Koine. “No brutish man is sin-fearing, nor is one of the people of the earth pious” (Aboth, II. 6). See the amazement of the Sanhedrin at Peter and John in Ac 4:13 as “unlettered and private men” ( ). No wonder the common people () heard Jesus gladly (Mr 12:37). The rabbis scouted and scorned them.
Are accursed ( ). Construction according to sense (plural verb and adjective with collective singular ). is old verbal adjective from , to call down curses upon, here only in the N.T.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
This people [ ] . Better, multitude, as contrasted with the orthodox Jews. See on 1 19.
Cursed. As specimens of Rabbinical utterances concerning this class may be cited the expressions vermin, people of the earth, and the saying, “the ignorant is impious; only the learned shall have part in the resurrection.” Even more abusive and abominable is this : “He shall not take a daughter of the people of the earth, because they are an abomination, and their wives are an abomination, and concerning their daughters it is said, Deu 27:21” – !
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But this people who knoweth not the law,” (alla ho ochlos houtos ho me ginoskon ton nomon) “But this crowd — not knowing the law (like we do),” These Pharisees spoke with contempt of people they should have pitied, if they really believed them to be deceived. Yet they themselves did not keep, but perverted it, Mar 7:1-13. These Pharisees alluded to the crowd who followed Jesus as the “unlettered rabbi” or “scum of the earth.”
2) “Are cursed.” (eparatoi eisin) “They are cursed,” or they exist in an accursed state or condition. Really their greatest curse is having such wicked rulers, who were themselves candidates and fodder for the fires of hell, as described, Psa 1:4; Mat 23:13-15; Mat 23:29-33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
49. But this multitude. The first part of their pride was, that, relying on the title of Priests, they wished to subject all to them in a tyrannical manner. The next is, that they despise others as men of no estimation, as those who excessively flatter themselves are always disposed to abuse others, and an immoderate love of ourselves is accompanied by contempt of the brethren. They pronounce the whole populace to be accursed; and why? It is no doubt alleged by them that the people do not know the law; but another reason, which they concealed, was, that they thought that there was no holiness but in their own rank. In like manner, the Popish priests in our own day pretend that none but themselves deserve to be called the Church; and all others, whom they call the laity, they despise as if they were profane persons. But to throw down such madness of pride, God prefers the mean and despised to those who hold the highest authority and power. And it ought to be observed that they here boast of knowledge, not that which instructs men in religion and the fear of God, but such as they possessed while, with magisterial pride, they gave forth their responses, as if they alone had been qualified to interpret the law. It is undoubtedly true, that all who have not been instructed in the law of God are accursed, because by the knowledge of it we are truly sanctified. But this knowledge is not confined to a few who, swelled with false confidence, wish to exclude themselves from the rank of other men, but belongs in common to all the children of God, that all, from the smallest even to the greatest, may be united in the same obedience of faith.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(49) But this people who knoweth not the law . . .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.
Are cursed.The writings of the Rabbis are full of scorn and contempt for the untutored multitude, whom they called am hretz, people of the earth, as opposed to those instructed in the Law, whom they called m kdesh, 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 Joh. 9:22, but this is quite out of the question as applied here to the multitude.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
49. This people By whose example and opinions you have been deterred from apprehending this impostor.
Cursed Great was the Rabbinical contempt of the commonalty who studied not the law; and even of the student of the law who did not humbly minister to the doctor. Such were dogs, people of the earth, not to be eaten with, to be excluded from all honourable offices, and accursed.
The law
Cursed If the people obeyed not the doctors, they were worthy to be excommunicated, to receive no earthly pity, and to descend to eternal ruin. The officers of course perceive that this curse, though professedly pronounced upon this people, really rebounds upon themselves, who are now agreeing with the people.
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Ver. 49. But this people, &c. ] He howled and wept (said Dr Story concerning Philpot) in the convocation house, and made such ado as never man did, even as all the heretics do when they lack learning to answer. When as yet Mr Philpot disputing in the convocation house against the sacrament of the altar, made this offer: If I shall not be able to maintain by God’s word that I have said, and confound any six of you, let me be burned with as many fagots as be in London, before the court gate: and this he uttered with great vehemency of spirit, which the cankered doctor haply called howling and weeping.
49. ] There is no intention to pronounce a formal ban upon the followers of Jesus; the words are merely a passionate expression of contempt. The putting a stop at , and supplying , and then making . ! an exclamation (Paulus, Kuinoel), is not to be thought of.
cursed = laid under a curse. Greek epikataratos. Only here and Gal 1:3, Gal 1:10, Gal 1:13. Found often in the Septuagint and in the Papyri. See Deissmann’s Light, &c. p. 93.
49.] There is no intention to pronounce a formal ban upon the followers of Jesus;-the words are merely a passionate expression of contempt. The putting a stop at , and supplying , and then making . ! an exclamation (Paulus, Kuinoel), is not to be thought of.
Joh 7:49. , this) This word is employed to express contempt.- , the law) Often the law denotes among the Hebrews what we express by the Bible; 1Co 9:8, Say I these things as a man? Saith not the law the same also?-, accursed) The blustering on the part of these wretched men was great: whence arises the Metonymy of antecedent and consequent [substituting the former, when they mean the latter: and vice vers]: i.e. they are accursed; [therefore it results that] they believe in Him, [and so] they remain accursed.
Joh 7:49
Joh 7:49
But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed.-In their estimation those who did not thus defer to them were accursed. [They are ignorant of the law and are accursed. On account of their ignorance they are easily led astray.]
Joh 9:34, Joh 9:40, Isa 5:21, Isa 28:14, Isa 29:14-19, Isa 65:5, 1Co 1:20, 1Co 1:21, 1Co 3:18-20, Jam 3:13-18
Reciprocal: Jer 5:4 – General Mat 11:25 – because Luk 6:20 – Blessed Luk 11:35 – General Joh 11:49 – Ye Act 4:13 – were
9
Knoweth not the law. The statement of Nicodemus (next verse),
and their reply shows the chief priests had Jesus in mind when they used the indefinite phrase, this people. It was not Jesus, but the chief priests who did not know the law, for it was the document that made favorable predictions of the very person whom the leaders of the Jews were condemning. (See the comments on chapter 5:39.)
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
[This people, etc.] The people of the earth; in common phrase, opposed to the disciples of the wise men; whom they call the holy people; but the former they call the accursed.
Verse 49
This people; the common people, whom they looked down upon with contempt.
The rulers claimed knowledge of the law that was superior to that of the common people (Gr. ochlos, crowd or mob) who accepted Jesus. They condescendingly judged the officers’ opinion of Jesus as worthy only of the uneducated. The rabbis taught, "It is forbidden to have mercy on one who has no knowledge." [Note: Midr. Sam 5.9 (cited by Beasley-Murray, p. 120).] If more of these leaders had taken the time to listen to Jesus, as Nicodemus did, they may have formed a different opinion of how well He fulfilled the law. Pride in one’s knowledge often results in spiritual blindness. The mob was supposedly under God’s curse since they did not obey it (Deu 28:15). Really it was the leaders who were under His curse for not believing in Jesus (Joh 3:36).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)