Bible Strands
John 7:19
Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a hostile crowd in Judea who are actively plotting to take His life, immediately after declaring that He seeks only the glory of God who sent Him. He confronts them directly, noting their claim to follow Moses while simultaneously pursuing His execution.
The words — The Greek οὐδεὶς (oudeis) literally means “no one,” underscoring the text’s explicit claim that not a single listener keeps the law. This absolute negation stands before any inference about their spiritual condition or hypocrisy.
The thread — The contrast between Mosaic law and Jesus’ mission appears in John 1:17, which states the law was given through Moses while grace and truth came through Christ. The same lethal opposition is recorded in John 7:1 and Matthew 12:14, tracking the escalating conflict over His authority.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to measure professed religious commitment against concrete obedience. It demands a direct assessment of whether one’s actions align with the standards one claims to uphold.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
Cross-references
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.
- Matthew 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
- John 11:53 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.
- Exodus 24:2 Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”
- Deuteronomy 1:17 Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”
- Deuteronomy 33:4 the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.
- Galatians 6:13 For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Matthew 21:38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’