John 7:47

KJV

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} answered {G611} them {G846} the Pharisees {G5330}, Are {G4105} ye {G5210} also {G2532} deceived {G4105}{G3361}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“You mean you’ve been taken in as well?” the P’rushim retorted.

Berean Standard Bible

“Have you also been deceived?” replied the Pharisees.

American Standard Version

The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Pharisees, infuriated by the temple guards' failure to apprehend Jesus, respond with a condescending question that reveals their profound spiritual blindness and elitism. Their query, "Are ye also deceived?", expresses their disbelief that anyone, especially their own officers, could be swayed by Jesus' teachings, whom they considered a deceiver and a threat to their authority and understanding of the Law. This moment underscores the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment, highlighting their inability to recognize divine truth due to their entrenched prejudice and self-righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jesus' ministry during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, as detailed in [John 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles"). Throughout the chapter, Jesus teaches openly in the temple, sparking debate and division among the crowds and the religious authorities. The immediate preceding verses ([John 7:45-46](/john/7-45-46 "John 7:45-46 - Officers' Report on Jesus")) describe the temple officers, dispatched by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus, returning empty-handed. Their astonishing explanation—"Never man spake like this man"—serves as the direct catalyst for the Pharisees' indignant outburst in [John 7:47](/john/7-47 "John 7:47 - The Pharisees' Question"). This sequence vividly portrays the growing tension and the Pharisees' increasing frustration with Jesus' popularity and perceived defiance of their authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were one of the most influential Jewish religious sects in the first century, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive body of oral traditions. They held significant sway over the common people and were often at odds with other groups like the Sadducees. Their self-perception was that they were the true interpreters and guardians of God's Law, viewing themselves as spiritually superior to the "unlearned" masses, often referred to as the *'am ha'aretz* (people of the land). This cultural elitism is palpable in their reaction to the temple guards. The setting of the Feast of Tabernacles, a major pilgrimage festival, meant Jerusalem was teeming with Jews from all over, making Jesus' public teaching and the authorities' inability to control the narrative even more politically and religiously charged.
* **Key Themes:** [John 7:47](/john/7-47 "John 7:47 - The Pharisees' Blindness") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John. Foremost is the theme of **spiritual blindness and unbelief**, particularly among the religious leaders who, despite witnessing Jesus' signs and hearing His profound teachings, refuse to believe in Him ([John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "John 5:39-40 - You search the Scriptures... but refuse to come to me")). Their question also highlights their **elitism and contempt for the common people**, whom they consider ignorant and easily misled, contrasting sharply with Jesus' compassion for the crowds ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). Furthermore, the verse underscores the **authority and impact of Jesus' words**, which even His would-be captors could not resist ([John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - Never Man Spake Like This Man")). This ongoing conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership is a central motif, leading ultimately to His crucifixion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This word signifies a response, but in this context, it carries the weight of an indignant, almost accusatory retort rather than a simple reply. It suggests a reaction born out of frustration and anger, highlighting the Pharisees' immediate and hostile rejection of the guards' testimony.
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** Derived from a Hebrew root meaning "separated," this term denotes a Jewish sect characterized by their strict adherence to the Law and their oral traditions. In the Gospels, they frequently represent the religious establishment that opposes Jesus, embodying self-righteousness, legalism, and a profound spiritual inability to recognize the Messiah. Their identity as "Pharisees" immediately signals a source of opposition and judgmentalism.
* **also (Greek, _kaí'_):** While a common conjunction, in this interrogative context, "also" is crucial. It implies a shared characteristic or fate. The Pharisees are essentially asking, "Are *you*, like the ignorant masses, *also* deluded?" It reveals their condescending view of the common people and their assumption that anyone who believes in Jesus must be mistaken.
* **deceived (Greek, _planáō'_):** Meaning "to roam from safety, truth, or virtue," this word describes being led astray, misled, or deluded. The Pharisees use it to accuse the guards of having wandered from the truth, implying that Jesus is a false teacher and His followers are victims of his trickery. This term encapsulates their fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission, viewing His influence not as divine revelation but as dangerous deception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered them the Pharisees":** This opening phrase immediately sets a tone of confrontation. The "then" (G3767, _oûn_) indicates a direct and consequential response to the temple guards' report in [John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - The Officers' Testimony"). The Pharisees' act of "answering" is not a calm inquiry but an indignant reaction, revealing their anger and frustration at the guards' failure to comply with their orders and their unexpected positive testimony about Jesus. It underscores their position of authority and their expectation of unquestioning obedience.
* **"Are ye also deceived?":** This is a rhetorical question, not posed to elicit information but to express the Pharisees' contempt, disbelief, and accusation. The inclusion of "also" (G2532, _kaí_) is critical, implying that the guards have fallen into the same error as the "common people" whom the Pharisees already considered ignorant and deluded. The Greek particle for "are" (G4105, _planáō_) combined with "deceived" (G4105, _planáō_) and the negative particle (G3361, _mḗ_) forms a question that expects a negative answer, effectively accusing the guards of being misled by Jesus. It highlights the Pharisees' spiritual arrogance and their inability to comprehend how anyone could genuinely be drawn to Jesus without being under some form of delusion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Rhetorical Question** and **Irony** to illuminate the spiritual state of the Pharisees. The question, "Are ye also deceived?", is not a genuine search for information but a loaded accusation, designed to shame and dismiss the guards' testimony. It functions as a statement of the Pharisees' own prejudiced conviction that Jesus is a deceiver, and anyone who believes in Him is therefore deluded. This reveals their closed-mindedness and their inability to engage with the truth presented to them. Furthermore, the scene is rich in **Irony**. The very individuals who consider themselves enlightened and guardians of truth are profoundly blind, while the uneducated temple guards, sent to arrest Jesus, are the ones who perceive something extraordinary about Him. The "deceived" are, in fact, the accusers, who cannot see the divine truth standing before them, while those they accuse have a nascent glimmer of understanding. This dramatic irony underscores the Pharisees' spiritual arrogance and their tragic failure to recognize the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Pharisees' question in [John 7:47](/john/7-47 "John 7:47 - The Pharisees' Blindness") serves as a poignant theological statement about the nature of spiritual blindness and the danger of human pride. Their inability to see Jesus for who He truly is stems not from a lack of evidence, but from a hardened heart and a rigid adherence to their own traditions and interpretations, which they elevated above divine revelation. They prioritized their social standing, their power, and their preconceived notions of the Messiah over the actual person of Jesus. This illustrates a universal human tendency to reject truth when it challenges established beliefs or threatens personal comfort and authority. The incident highlights that true spiritual understanding requires humility and an openness to God's work, even when it defies human expectations or social norms.

* [Matthew 15:1-9](/matthew/15-1-9 "Matthew 15:1-9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Traditions")
* [John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus on Spiritual Blindness")
* [1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Wisdom of God and the Foolishness of the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Pharisees' arrogant dismissal of the temple guards' testimony in [John 7:47](/john/7-47 "John 7:47 - A Warning Against Spiritual Pride") offers a timeless warning for all who seek to follow God. It challenges us to critically examine our own hearts for any seeds of spiritual pride, elitism, or preconceived notions that might hinder our ability to perceive and embrace God's truth, especially when it comes in unexpected forms or from unexpected sources. Just as the Pharisees looked down on the "unlearned" masses, we must guard against judging others based on their background, education, or social status within the church or society. True spiritual discernment requires humility, a willingness to be challenged, and an open heart to God's Spirit, who often works in ways that defy our expectations. Our focus should always be on seeking God's truth, not on defending our own interpretations or maintaining a sense of intellectual or spiritual superiority. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of teachability, recognizing that God can reveal Himself to anyone, regardless of their societal standing or theological training.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or biases might be hindering my own spiritual growth or my ability to see God at work in unexpected ways?**
* **How do I react when God's truth challenges my established beliefs or comforts, and am I willing to adjust my understanding?**
* **In what ways might I inadvertently display spiritual elitism or look down on others who understand or express their faith differently than I do?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and open heart that is receptive to God's revelation, regardless of the messenger or the context?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Pharisees so upset by the temple guards' report?**

Answer: The Pharisees were deeply upset because the temple guards, whom they had dispatched with clear instructions to arrest Jesus, returned empty-handed and, worse, offered a positive testimony about Him. The guards' statement, "Never man spake like this man" ([John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - The Officers' Testimony")), directly challenged the Pharisees' authority and their narrative that Jesus was a deceiver or a false prophet. This unexpected report not only represented a failure to execute their orders but also suggested that Jesus possessed an undeniable, compelling power in His words that even their own officers could not resist. This undermined their control, threatened their religious and political standing, and confirmed their fear that Jesus was gaining too much influence over the common people.

**What does "deceived" imply in this context, and why did the Pharisees use this word?**

Answer: In this context, "deceived" (Greek: _planáō_) implies being led astray from the truth, being deluded, or wandering from the correct path. The Pharisees used this word because, from their perspective, Jesus was a dangerous charlatan who was misleading the people. They believed that anyone who followed Jesus or was impressed by His teachings was fundamentally mistaken, having been "tricked" or "seduced" away from the true understanding of God's Law and the Messiah. By asking, "Are ye *also* deceived?" ([John 7:47](/john/7-47 "John 7:47 - The Pharisees' Accusation")), they were not only accusing the guards but also expressing their contempt for the common people who believed in Jesus, whom they considered ignorant and easily swayed. It was a rhetorical question designed to shame the guards and reinforce the Pharisees' conviction that Jesus' popularity was a sign of mass delusion, not divine revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Pharisees' indignant question, "Are ye also deceived?", profoundly highlights humanity's persistent struggle to recognize and receive God's truth when it is embodied in a form that challenges preconceived notions. Their spiritual blindness to Jesus, the very Son of God, foreshadows the broader rejection of Christ by many who were steeped in religious tradition but lacked true spiritual discernment. Jesus, as the ultimate revelation of God ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")), came into the world, but "the world knew him not" ([John 1:10](/john/1-10 "John 1:10 - The World Knew Him Not")), and "his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - His Own Received Him Not")). The Pharisees' accusation of "deception" against Jesus is a tragic irony, for He is the Way, the **Truth**, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and those who follow Him are led into truth, not astray. Their rejection of Jesus ultimately culminated in His crucifixion, yet through this very act, God's plan for salvation was fulfilled. Thus, the Pharisees' question, intended to discredit Jesus, inadvertently underscores the profound truth that only in Christ is true understanding found, and to reject Him is to remain truly deceived, wandering from the path of life. Despite their efforts, Jesus' authority and truth could not be contained, for He is the Lord of all ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 7:12

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

2 Corinthians 6:8

By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;

Matthew 27:63

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

John 9:27

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear [it] again? will ye also be his disciples?

John 9:34

They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

2 Kings 18:32

Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.

2 Chronicles 32:15

Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?