These short descriptions of the impressions made on His hearers by the discourses of Jesus indicate the double development which was resulting from His ministry. Those in favor spoke of the Prophet and the Christ. Compare John 1:21; John 6:14. Others raised objections, John 7:41-42. Others again desired to take action, John 7:44.
Though it was a holy day, the Sanhedrin was in session to receive the report of their officers. These, by their candid statement, unconsciously passed a strange criticism on the religious speakers to whom they were wont to listen. Compare John 7:48 with John 7:50 and John 3:1-36.
How greatly Nicodemus had grown since his night-visit to Jesus! And he was to advance still further, John 19:39. The appeal to history was apparently true. Jonah is the only prophet who might have been quoted as an apparent exception, but he may only have been a resident in Galilee when the summons came to him. The reasoning of John 7:52, however, was not conclusive. Even if none had arisen, it was the more likely that the Divine Spirit should choose the most humble origin; and the one most in keeping with the peasant-birth of the manger-bed. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 7
1Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen; 10goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles; 14teaches in the temple 40Various opinions of him among the people 45The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, 50and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side
Greek Commentary for John 7:47
Are ye also led astray? [Μη και υμεις πεπλανηστε] The Pharisees took the lead in this scornful sneer at the officers. The use of μη mē formally expects a negative answer as in John 4:29, but the Pharisees really believed it. See also John 6:67. The verb form is perfect passive indicative of πλαναω planaō for which see John 7:12 with perhaps an allusion to that phase of opinion. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 7:47
John 11:47Gathered a council [συνηγαγον συνεδριον] Second aorist active indicative of συναγω sunagō and συνεδριον sunedrion the regular word for the Sanhedrin (Matthew 5:22, etc.), only here in John. Here a sitting or session of the Sanhedrin. Both chief priests (Sadducees) and Pharisees (mentioned no more in John after John 7:47 save John 12:19,John 12:42) combine in the call (cf. John 7:32). From now on the chief priests (Sadducees) take the lead in the attacks on Jesus, though loyally supported by their opponents (the Pharisees). And said Imperfect active of λεγω legō perhaps inchoative, “began to say.” What do we? Present active (linear) indicative of ποιεω poieō Literally, “What are we doing?” Doeth Better, “is doing” (present, linear action). He is active and we are idle. There is no mention of the raising of Lazarus as a fact, but it is evidently included in the “many signs.” [source]
John 9:22Because they feared the Jews [οτι εποβουντο τους Ιουδαιους] Imperfect middle, a continuing fear and not without reason. See note on the whispers about Jesus because of fear of the Jews (John 7:13). Had agreed already Past perfect middle of συντιτημι suntithēmi to put together, to form a compact (John 7:32,John 7:47-49). If any man should confess him to be Christ Condition of third class with εαν ean and first aorist active subjunctive of ομολογεω homologeō and predicate accusative Χριστον Christon Jesus had made confession of himself before men the test of discipleship and denial the disproof (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8). We know that many of the rulers nominally believed on Jesus (John 12:42) and yet “did not confess him because of the Pharisees” Small wonder then that here the parents cowered a bit. That he should be put out of the synagogue Sub-final use of ινα hina with second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομαι ginomai Αποσυναγωγος Aposunagōgos (απο apo and συναγωγη sunagōgē) is found in N.T. only here and John 12:42; John 16:2. A purely Jewish word naturally. There were three kinds of excommunication (for thirty days, for thirty more, indefinitely). [source]
What do the individual words in John 7:47 mean?
AnsweredthereforethemthePhariseesNotalsoyouhave been deceived
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πλανάω
Sense: to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way.
Greek Commentary for John 7:47
The Pharisees took the lead in this scornful sneer at the officers. The use of μη mē formally expects a negative answer as in John 4:29, but the Pharisees really believed it. See also John 6:67. The verb form is perfect passive indicative of πλαναω planaō for which see John 7:12 with perhaps an allusion to that phase of opinion. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 7:47
Second aorist active indicative of συναγω sunagō and συνεδριον sunedrion the regular word for the Sanhedrin (Matthew 5:22, etc.), only here in John. Here a sitting or session of the Sanhedrin. Both chief priests (Sadducees) and Pharisees (mentioned no more in John after John 7:47 save John 12:19, John 12:42) combine in the call (cf. John 7:32). From now on the chief priests (Sadducees) take the lead in the attacks on Jesus, though loyally supported by their opponents (the Pharisees). And said Imperfect active of λεγω legō perhaps inchoative, “began to say.” What do we? Present active (linear) indicative of ποιεω poieō Literally, “What are we doing?” Doeth Better, “is doing” (present, linear action). He is active and we are idle. There is no mention of the raising of Lazarus as a fact, but it is evidently included in the “many signs.” [source]
Imperfect middle, a continuing fear and not without reason. See note on the whispers about Jesus because of fear of the Jews (John 7:13). Had agreed already Past perfect middle of συντιτημι suntithēmi to put together, to form a compact (John 7:32, John 7:47-49). If any man should confess him to be Christ Condition of third class with εαν ean and first aorist active subjunctive of ομολογεω homologeō and predicate accusative Χριστον Christon Jesus had made confession of himself before men the test of discipleship and denial the disproof (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8). We know that many of the rulers nominally believed on Jesus (John 12:42) and yet “did not confess him because of the Pharisees” Small wonder then that here the parents cowered a bit. That he should be put out of the synagogue Sub-final use of ινα hina with second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομαι ginomai Αποσυναγωγος Aposunagōgos (απο apo and συναγωγη sunagōgē) is found in N.T. only here and John 12:42; John 16:2. A purely Jewish word naturally. There were three kinds of excommunication (for thirty days, for thirty more, indefinitely). [source]