But this crowdThe term "crowd" refers to the general populace present during Jesus' ministry. In the context of
John 7, 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.
that does not know the law
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.
they are under a curse
The idea of being "under a curse" is rooted inDeuteronomy 27-28, 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.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhariseesA 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.
2.
The CrowdRefers to the general populace attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The Pharisees viewed them as ignorant of the law and thus spiritually inferior.
3.
Feast of TabernaclesA major Jewish festival held in Jerusalem, commemorating the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and God's provision. It serves as the backdrop for the events in
John 7.
4.
JesusCentral 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.
5.
NicodemusA Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who appears later in
John 7, advocating for a fair hearing for Jesus, contrasting with the other Pharisees' attitudes.
Teaching Points
Understanding the LawThe 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.
Spiritual ElitismThe Pharisees' attitude warns against spiritual elitism, where knowledge of scripture becomes a source of pride rather than a means to serve and love others.
True Knowledge of GodTrue knowledge of God is not merely intellectual but relational, involving a heart transformed by His love and grace.
Judging OthersWe must be cautious not to judge others' spiritual standing based on external knowledge or adherence to religious practices.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth, helping us understand and apply God's word beyond mere intellectual comprehension.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 7:49?
2.How does John 7:49 challenge us to discern true spiritual authority today?
3.What does John 7:49 reveal about the Pharisees' view of the common people?
4.How can we avoid the Pharisees' error of dismissing others' spiritual understanding?
5.In what ways does John 7:49 connect with Jesus' teachings on humility?
6.How can John 7:49 inspire us to seek wisdom beyond societal norms?
7.What does John 7:49 reveal about the Pharisees' attitude towards the common people?
8.How does John 7:49 reflect the religious elitism present during Jesus' time?
9.Why do the Pharisees dismiss the crowd as accursed in John 7:49?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 7?
11.Who was Nicodemus in the Bible?
12.Genesis 34:27-29 - How does the looting and enslavement of the city align with later biblical laws condemning such acts?
13.How does Proverbs 7's cautionary message align or conflict with the theme of grace and redemption found in John 8:1-11?
14.John 7:10 - How could Jesus go to the Feast secretly when such a gathering would have been highly public?What Does John 7:49 Mean
But this crowd• The words come from Pharisees frustrated that the temple officers failed to arrest Jesus (John 7:45-48).
• “Crowd” points to the ordinary people who had been listening to Jesus gladly (John 7:31;Mark 12:37).
• The religious elites draw a sharp line between themselves and those they deem spiritually inferior, echoing earlier disdain for “tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 15:1-2).
• Scripture repeatedly shows God’s concern for the common people, even when leaders dismiss them (Ezekiel 34:1-6;Matthew 9:36).
That does not know the law• The accusation is ignorance of Moses’ Law (John 7:19). Pharisees prided themselves on detailed knowledge (Philippians 3:5-6).
• Yet knowledge alone is never the ultimate measure.Hosea 4:6 warns, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” but knowledge must be paired with obedience (Deuteronomy 5:1).
• Ironically, the crowds had perceived truth the experts missed: “When the Christ comes, will He perform more signs than this man?” (John 7:31). Compare to the blind man later declaring what leaders refused to admit (John 9:30-34).
•Romans 10:2-3 reminds that zeal for God without true understanding can still miss the mark.
They are under a curse• The Pharisees invokeDeuteronomy 27:26: “Cursed is he who does not uphold the words of this law.”
•Galatians 3:10 echoes the same principle, underscoring that perfect law-keeping is impossible apart from grace.
• Their judgment, however, backfires. By rejecting Jesus, they expose themselves to the very curse they pronounce (John 5:39-40;Matthew 23:13-33).
•Proverbs 28:9 warns, “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” The leaders’ hardened hearts placed them, not the crowd, in peril (Acts 7:51-53).
summaryJohn 7:49 records a dismissive statement by religious leaders who scorn the common people for lacking formal knowledge of Scripture and pronounce them cursed. The verse reveals a tragic irony: those who presume to guard the law use it to belittle others while neglecting its heart—faith in the promised Messiah standing before them. True blessing comes not from elite status or mere information, but from humble trust and obedience to Christ, the fulfillment of the Law and the One who removes the curse for all who believe (John 3:36;Galatians 3:13).
(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 h??retz, "people of the earth," as opposed to those instructed in the Law, whom they called'?m k?desh, "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 inJohn 9:22, but this is quite out of the question as applied here to the multitude.
Verse 49. -
But this multitude, which knoweth not the Law, are
accursed. This is a most contemptuous expression -
am-ha-'arez, 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,
b; 'Baba,' B. 8,
b; 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.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.thisοὗτος(houtos)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.crowdὄχλος(ochlos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793:From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.thatὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.does not knowγινώσκων(ginōskōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Law,νόμον(nomon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551:From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.they areεἰσιν(eisin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.under a curse.”ἐπάρατοί(eparatoi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1944:From epi and a derivative of kataraomai; imprecated, i.e. Execrable.
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NT Gospels: John 7:49 But this multitude that doesn't know (Jhn Jo Jn) 
