John 7:49

KJV

But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} this {G3778} people {G3793} who {G3588} knoweth {G1097} not {G3361} the law {G3551} are {G1526} cursed {G1944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

True, these ‘am-ha’aretz do, but they know nothing about the Torah, they are under a curse!”

Berean Standard Bible

But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse.”

American Standard Version

But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 7:49 encapsulates the profound spiritual arrogance and elitism of the Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who scornfully dismiss the common people drawn to Jesus. Uttered in response to Nicodemus's plea for a fair hearing for Jesus, this verse reveals the Pharisees' self-righteous conviction that anyone outside their rigid interpretation and meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law was ignorant, spiritually inferior, and therefore under divine condemnation. It underscores a tragic misunderstanding of God's heart and the true purpose of the Law, exposing their spiritual blindness in the face of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the tumultuous events of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, where Jesus's public teaching has created significant division among the populace regarding His identity and authority. The chief priests and Pharisees, alarmed by His growing influence, had dispatched officers to arrest Him. However, these officers returned empty-handed, profoundly impacted by Jesus's words, declaring, "Never man spake like this man" ([John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - Officers Impressed by Jesus")). Enraged by this unexpected outcome and the officers' apparent sympathy, the Pharisees lash out. It is in this heated exchange that Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who had previously engaged with Jesus ([John 3:1-21](/john/3-1-21 "John 3:1-21 - Nicodemus Visits Jesus")), cautiously interjects, reminding them that their law does not condemn a man without a prior hearing and investigation ([John 7:51](/john/7-51 "John 7:51 - Nicodemus's Question")). The cutting retort of [John 7:49](/john/7-49 "John 7:49 - Pharisees' Scorn") is directed at Nicodemus and, by extension, at the common people whom the Pharisees believe he is defending.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which drew large crowds. The Pharisees were a prominent religious and political sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their oral traditions, which they considered equally authoritative. They held significant influence among the people and viewed themselves as the true guardians and interpreters of God's covenant. Their disdain for the "people of the land" (Hebrew: *'am ha'aretz*), the common, uneducated masses who were perceived as not meticulously observing the Law's finer points, was deeply ingrained. This social and religious stratification meant that the Pharisees considered themselves spiritually superior, often looking down upon those who did not meet their stringent standards of ritual purity and legal observance. Their condemnation in [John 7:49](/john/7-49 "John 7:49 - Pharisees' Scorn") reflects this pervasive elitism and the cultural chasm between the religious elite and the ordinary Jewish populace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Spiritual Arrogance and Elitism**, demonstrating how those who claimed the greatest knowledge of God's law were often the most spiritually blind and judgmental. The Pharisees' self-proclaimed righteousness led to a condescending attitude towards others, particularly those outside their immediate circle of influence. Secondly, it underscores the **Misunderstanding and Misuse of the Law**. The Pharisees, despite their meticulous study, failed to grasp the true spirit and purpose of the Mosaic Law, which pointed to love, mercy, and justice, and ultimately to Christ Himself ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). They weaponized the Law as a tool for exclusion and condemnation rather than a guide for relationship with God and neighbor. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays **Prejudice and Unjust Condemnation**, as the Pharisees dismiss the common people's openness to Jesus based on their perceived social and religious inferiority, rather than on any objective evaluation of Jesus's claims or the people's faith. Finally, and most profoundly, it illustrates **Spiritual Blindness** – the tragic irony that those whom the religious elite deemed "cursed" were often the most receptive to the light and truth of Jesus, while the "wise" and "learned" remained in darkness ([Matthew 11:25](/matthew/11-25 "Matthew 11:25 - Truth Revealed to the Humble")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **people (Greek, _óchlos'_):** From G3793, meaning "a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot." The Pharisees use this term to refer to the common, uneducated masses, often with a derogatory connotation, implying they are an unruly, ignorant mob easily swayed. It underscores their contempt for those who are not part of their learned, elite circle.
* **knoweth (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, meaning "to 'know' (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications... to be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand." The Pharisees claim these people "knoweth not the law," implying a fundamental lack of understanding or adherence to the Mosaic Law, which for the Pharisees, was the foundation of true piety and righteousness. Their assertion is a judgment on the common people's perceived spiritual and intellectual deficiency.
* **cursed (Greek, _epikatáratos'_):** From G1944, meaning "imprecated, i.e. execrable:--accursed." This is a powerful and damning declaration. To be "cursed" implies being under divine displeasure, subject to God's judgment, and separated from His blessing. The Pharisees are not merely stating an observation; they are pronouncing a theological verdict, essentially excommunicating the common people from God's favor because of their perceived ignorance of the Law and their openness to Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But this people":** The conjunction "But" (G235, _allá'_) introduces a sharp contrast, signaling the Pharisees' dismissive and contemptuous response to Nicodemus's mild defense of Jesus. "This people" (G3778 _hoûtos_ and G3793 _óchlos_) is a derogatory reference to the common, uneducated masses who were showing interest in Jesus, whom the Pharisees considered inferior, ignorant, and outside their sphere of influence and understanding of the Law.
* **"who knoweth not the law":** This clause reveals the basis of the Pharisees' contempt. They accuse the common people of being ignorant of the Mosaic Law (G3551, _nómos_), implying a lack of formal theological education and meticulous adherence to its precepts, as interpreted by the Pharisees themselves. For the Pharisees, true knowledge of the Law was paramount, and they saw themselves as its exclusive custodians and interpreters. This accusation is a justification for their dismissal of the people's spiritual discernment and their openness to Jesus.
* **"are cursed":** This is the ultimate, damning pronouncement. The Greek word (G1944, _epikatáratos'_) signifies being under a divine curse or being devoted to destruction. The Pharisees, in their self-righteousness, declare that the common people, by virtue of their supposed ignorance of the Law and their attraction to Jesus, are not merely misguided but are under God's condemnation. This reflects their belief that adherence to their legalistic interpretation of the Law was the sole path to divine favor, and deviation from it resulted in a cursed state.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Most prominent is **Irony**, as the very individuals who claim to "know the law" best are blind to its true spirit of justice, mercy, and love, and fail to recognize the Messiah whom the Law foreshadowed. Their declaration of others as "cursed" ironically highlights their own spiritual blindness and condemnation. There is also strong **Characterization** at play, as the Pharisees' words vividly reveal their spiritual pride, elitism, and deep-seated prejudice against those they deem socially and religiously inferior. Their contempt for the common people underscores their rigid legalism and lack of compassion. Furthermore, the verse establishes a stark **Contrast** between the self-proclaimed "wise" and "learned" (the Pharisees) and the "ignorant" masses. This contrast sets the stage for Jesus's consistent ministry to the marginalized and His challenge to the religious establishment's authority and interpretation of God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:49 serves as a stark theological warning against the dangers of spiritual pride, legalism, and the misuse of divine revelation for self-aggrandizement and condemnation. The Pharisees' declaration that the common people are "cursed" because they "knoweth not the law" reveals a profound misunderstanding of God's character, which is abundant in grace and mercy, and a perversion of the Law's true purpose. The Law was given to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, not to be a tool for human judgment and exclusion. This verse highlights the tension between a rigid, external adherence to rules and a humble, internal transformation of the heart. It underscores that true spiritual insight often eludes those who are confident in their own knowledge and status, while being revealed to the humble and open-hearted.

* [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - All Under a Curse")
* [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "Luke 18:9-14 - Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")
* [Matthew 23:23-24](/matthew/23-23-24 "Matthew 23:23-24 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:49 stands as a timeless caution against spiritual elitism and the temptation to look down upon others based on perceived differences in knowledge, background, or religious practice. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for any traces of the Pharisees' self-righteousness. True knowledge of God's Word should cultivate humility, compassion, and a deeper love for all people, not a condescending spirit or a judgmental attitude. We are reminded that God often works in surprising ways, revealing truth to those least expected, and that outward adherence to rules can never substitute for a genuine, Spirit-led relationship with Him. This verse calls us to embrace the spirit of the Law – love for God and neighbor – above its letter, and to extend grace and understanding rather than condemnation to those who may be on a different path or at a different stage of their spiritual journey. Our mission is to share the liberating truth of the Gospel, not to pronounce curses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my faith community, inadvertently exhibit spiritual arrogance or elitism, similar to the Pharisees?**
* **How can I ensure my understanding and application of biblical truth is rooted in humility and compassion, rather than becoming a source of judgment towards others?**
* **Am I more focused on external adherence to religious rules, or on cultivating a heart that truly reflects God's love and grace for all people?**
* **How can I be more open to God revealing truth through unexpected people or circumstances, even if they don't fit my preconceived notions of spiritual wisdom?**

### FAQ
**Who are "this people" that the Pharisees refer to, and why did they "knoweth not the law"?**

Answer: "This people" refers to the *'am ha'aretz*, the common Jewish people, the uneducated masses who were not part of the religious elite (like the Pharisees) and did not meticulously observe all the oral traditions and interpretations of the Mosaic Law as the Pharisees did. The Pharisees believed these common people were ignorant of the Law because they lacked formal rabbinic training and did not adhere to the Pharisees' strict standards of ritual purity and legal observance. They saw them as spiritually inferior and thus, easily misled by figures like Jesus.

**What "law" are the Pharisees referring to, and why was knowing it so important to them?**

Answer: The "law" (Greek: _nomos_) primarily refers to the Mosaic Law, the Torah, which includes the first five books of the Old Testament. For the Pharisees, knowing and meticulously observing this Law, along with their extensive oral traditions and interpretations, was central to their identity and their understanding of righteousness and covenant faithfulness. They believed that strict adherence to every detail of the Law was the path to pleasing God and maintaining a right relationship with Him. They saw themselves as the true guardians and interpreters of this divine Law, and thus, anyone perceived as not "knowing" or following it to their standards was considered outside God's favor.

**Why did the Pharisees call the common people "cursed" for not knowing the law?**

Answer: The Pharisees' declaration that the common people "are cursed" (Greek: _epikatáratos_) stems from their legalistic worldview. In their understanding, failure to perfectly observe the Mosaic Law resulted in a state of being under God's curse, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - Curse for Not Upholding the Law"). They believed that anyone who did not meticulously adhere to their interpretation of the Law was therefore under divine judgment. Their contempt for the *'am ha'aretz* was rooted in this conviction, viewing their perceived ignorance and non-observance as evidence of their cursed state and spiritual inferiority, especially given their openness to Jesus, whom the Pharisees rejected.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Pharisees' declaration in [John 7:49](/john/7-49 "John 7:49 - Pharisees' Scorn") that "this people who knoweth not the law are cursed" stands in stark contrast to the very essence of Christ's mission and identity. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save")). While the Pharisees pronounced a curse based on perceived legal ignorance, Jesus offered blessing and liberation to those whom society deemed outcast and spiritually deficient. He consistently ministered to the marginalized, the poor, the sick, and the "sinners" – precisely the kind of people the Pharisees despised ([Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Matthew 9:10-13 - Jesus Eats with Sinners")). Jesus, as the true fulfillment of the Law, did not abolish it but perfectly embodied its spirit of love, mercy, and justice ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He taught that the greatest commandments were to love God and love one's neighbor, summarizing the entire Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ Himself became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the Law, so that we might receive the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit through faith ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). Thus, the very people whom the Pharisees declared "cursed" found blessing, life, and true knowledge of God in Jesus, the one whom the "wise" rejected.

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

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1 Corinthians 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 3:18

¶ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1 Corinthians 3:20

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

James 3:13

¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

John 9:40

And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?