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 7:48
Hath any of the rulers believed on him? [Μη τις εκ των αρχοντων επιστευσεν εις αυτον] Negative answer sharply expected. First aorist active indicative of πιστευω pisteuō “Did any one of the rulers believe on him?” “What right have subordinates to have a mind of their own?” (Dods). These police were employed by the temple authorities (rulers). “Power was slipping through their fingers” (Dods) and that was the secret of their hostility to Jesus. Or of the Pharisees A wider circle and the most orthodox of all. [source]
Of the rulers or of the Pharisees [] The Greek order, as followed by Rev., is more suggestive: Hath any of the rulers believed on Him, or (to appeal to a larger circle) of the Pharisees? [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 7:48
John 12:42Nevertheless even [ομως μεντοι και] For the old ομως homōs see 1 Corinthians 14:7; Galatians 3:15 (only other examples in N.T.), here only with μεντοι mentoi “but yet,” and και kai “even.” In spite of what has just been said “many These actually “believed on him” Like the whispered talk in John 7:13 “because of the fear of the Jews.” Once the Pharisees sneeringly asked the officers (John 7:48): “Hath any one of the rulers believed on him?” And now “many of the rulers have believed on him.” They did not confess Negative imperfect in contrast to the punctiliar aorist επιστευσαν episteusan “They kept on not confessing.” How like the cowardly excuses made today by those under conviction who refuse to step out for Christ. Lest they should be put out of the synagogue Cf. John 9:22 where this very word occurs in a purpose clause like this. Only once more in the N.T. (John 16:2), a Jewish word not in profane authors. This ostracism from the synagogue was dreaded by the Jews and made cowards of these “believing elders.” More than They preferred the glory and praise of men more than the glory and praise of God. How apropos these words are to some suave cowards today. [source]
John 7:50Nicodemus [Νικοδημος] Not heard from since chapter 3 when he timidly came to Jesus by night. Now he boldly protests against the injustice of condemning Jesus unheard. He appears once more (and only in John) in John 19:39 with Joseph of Arimathea as a secret disciple of Jesus. He is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin and his present act is courageous. Saith Dramatic present active indicative as in John 2:3. Before This is genuine, a reference to the visit in chapter 3, but νυκτος nuktos (by night) is not genuine here. Being one of them As a member of the Sanhedrin he takes up the challenge in John 7:48. He is both ruler and Pharisee. [source]
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πιστεύω
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
Greek Commentary for John 7:48
Negative answer sharply expected. First aorist active indicative of πιστευω pisteuō “Did any one of the rulers believe on him?” “What right have subordinates to have a mind of their own?” (Dods). These police were employed by the temple authorities (rulers). “Power was slipping through their fingers” (Dods) and that was the secret of their hostility to Jesus. Or of the Pharisees A wider circle and the most orthodox of all. [source]
The Greek order, as followed by Rev., is more suggestive: Hath any of the rulers believed on Him, or (to appeal to a larger circle) of the Pharisees? [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 7:48
For the old ομως homōs see 1 Corinthians 14:7; Galatians 3:15 (only other examples in N.T.), here only with μεντοι mentoi “but yet,” and και kai “even.” In spite of what has just been said “many These actually “believed on him” Like the whispered talk in John 7:13 “because of the fear of the Jews.” Once the Pharisees sneeringly asked the officers (John 7:48): “Hath any one of the rulers believed on him?” And now “many of the rulers have believed on him.” They did not confess Negative imperfect in contrast to the punctiliar aorist επιστευσαν episteusan “They kept on not confessing.” How like the cowardly excuses made today by those under conviction who refuse to step out for Christ. Lest they should be put out of the synagogue Cf. John 9:22 where this very word occurs in a purpose clause like this. Only once more in the N.T. (John 16:2), a Jewish word not in profane authors. This ostracism from the synagogue was dreaded by the Jews and made cowards of these “believing elders.” More than They preferred the glory and praise of men more than the glory and praise of God. How apropos these words are to some suave cowards today. [source]
Not heard from since chapter 3 when he timidly came to Jesus by night. Now he boldly protests against the injustice of condemning Jesus unheard. He appears once more (and only in John) in John 19:39 with Joseph of Arimathea as a secret disciple of Jesus. He is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin and his present act is courageous. Saith Dramatic present active indicative as in John 2:3. Before This is genuine, a reference to the visit in chapter 3, but νυκτος nuktos (by night) is not genuine here. Being one of them As a member of the Sanhedrin he takes up the challenge in John 7:48. He is both ruler and Pharisee. [source]