King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Complete Jewish Bible:
The Judeans were surprised: “How does this man know so much without having studied?” they asked.
Berean Standard Bible:
The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”
American Standard Version:
The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} the Jews{G2453} marvelled{G2296}, saying{G3004}, How{G4459} knoweth{G1492} this man{G3778} letters{G1121}, having{G3129} never{G3361} learned{G3129}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 4:22
- And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Matthew 13:54
- And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?
Matthew 7:28
- And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 7:29
- For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 22:22
- When they had heard [these words], they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
John 7:46
- The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
Acts 26:24
- ¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for John 7:15
John 7:15 captures a moment of astonishment among the Jewish leaders at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The verse reads, "And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" This reaction is directed towards Jesus, who is engaging in theological discussions and teaching with authority and wisdom that surprise his audience.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jewish expectation that religious teachers would be formally educated in the Law, likely in one of the prestigious rabbinical schools. Jesus, however, did not have this formal training; His education was not in the traditional sense of the word, and yet He demonstrated profound understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures. This challenged the preconceived notions of religious authority and scholarship of the time.
The themes evident in this verse include the recognition of Jesus' extraordinary knowledge and wisdom, the contrast between formal education and divine inspiration or inherent wisdom, and the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. It also touches on the motif of Jesus as a teacher and authority figure whose insights transcend human learning, hinting at His divine origin—a theme that is recurrent throughout the Gospel of John. The verse reflects the amazement of the people but also subtly foreshadows the conflict that Jesus' unconventional authority will continue to provoke among the religious establishment.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G2453
There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
Transliteration: Ioudaîos
Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa. - Strong's Number: G2296
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θαυμάζω
Transliteration: thaumázō
Pronunciation: thou-mad'-zo
Description: from θαῦμα; to wonder; by implication, to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder. - Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: G4459
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πῶς
Transliteration: pōs
Pronunciation: poce
Description: adverb from the base of ποῦ; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G3778
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὗτος
Transliteration: hoûtos
Pronunciation: how'-tahee
Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who. - Strong's Number: G1121
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γράμμα
Transliteration: grámma
Pronunciation: gram'-mah
Description: from γράφω; a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning:--bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written. - Strong's Number: G3129
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μανθάνω
Transliteration: manthánō
Pronunciation: man-than'-o
Description: prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, , is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way):--learn, understand. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.