Bible Strands
John 7:49
But this crowd that does not know the law—they are under a curse.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Pharisees address the temple officers after asking whether any rulers or Pharisees have believed in Jesus. Their statement functions as a dismissal of the common people's spiritual standing.
The words — μὴ γινώσκων (mē ginōskōn) translates literally as "not knowing." It directly modifies the crowd in the speaker's claim about their relationship to the law.
The thread — This motif runs through 1 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Corinthians 3:18, and James 3:13. Those texts contrast human wisdom with divine wisdom or true spiritual wisdom.
Why it lands — It forces readers to confront whether they measure religious validity by external knowledge or by spiritual reality. It warns that claiming superior standing based on tradition or status produces self-deception.
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
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
- 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
- James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- John 9:34 They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
- John 9:40 Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?”
- Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
- Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
- Isaiah 65:5 They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.