But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is accursed.”
- KJV But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
- NKJV But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
- NASB But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!”
- NLT This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Pharisees dismiss the crowd as an accursed mob that does not know the law. They despise the common people who were drawn to Jesus.
Overview
With contempt, the leaders curse the ordinary people for their supposed ignorance of the law. This arrogance contrasts with Jesus' compassion for the crowds and His welcome of the lowly. Their disdain reveals hearts hardened by pride, while Jesus, the friend of sinners, draws near to the very people they scorn.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Cor 3:18–20Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
- 1 Cor 1:20–21Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
- Jas 3:13–18Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- John 9:40Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?”
- John 9:34They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
- Isa 65:5They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
- Isa 28:14Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
- Isa 29:14–19Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
- Isa 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 7:49 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.