John 7:51

Doth our Law iudge any man before it heare him, & know what he doth?
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

"Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?"
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?
- American Standard Version (1901)

Is a man judged by our law before it has given him a hearing and has knowledge of what he has done?
- Basic English Bible

Does our law judge a man before it have first heard from himself, and know what he does?
- Darby Bible

Doth our law judge any man before it heareth him, and knoweth what he doeth?
- Webster's Bible

Does our Law, he asked, "judge a man without first hearing what he has to say and ascertaining what his conduct is?"
- Weymouth Bible

Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?
- World English Bible

but it haue first herde of hym, and knowe what he doith?
- Wycliffe Bible

`Doth our law judge the man, if it may not hear from him first, and know what he doth?'
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for John 7:51

7:49 But this populace, who know not the law - This ignorant rabble; are accursed - Are by that ignorance exposed to the curse of being thus seduced.

7:50 Nicodemus, he that came to him by night - Having now a little more courage, being one of them - Being present as a member of the great council, saith to them - Do not we ourselves act as if we knew not the law, if we pass sentence on a man before we hear him?

7:52 They answered - By personal reflection; the argument they could not answer, and therefore did not attempt it. Art thou also a Galilean? - One of his party? Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet - They could not but know the contrary. They knew Jonah arose out of Gethhepher; and Nahum from another village in Galilee. Yea, and Thisbe, the town of Elijah, the Tishbite, was in Galilee also. They might likewise have known that Jesus was not born in Galilee, but at Bethlehem, even from the public register there, and from the genealogies of the family of David. They were conscious this poor answer would not bear examination, and so took care to prevent a reply.

7:53 And every man went to his own house - So that short plain question of Nicodemus spoiled all their measures, and broke up the council! A word spoken in season, how good it is! Especially when God gives it his blessing.