But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is accursed.”
Parallel translations
- KJV But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
- BSB But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse.”
- 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 anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
- 1 Cor 1:20–21Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
- Jas 3:13–18Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
- John 9:40Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”
- John 9:34They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out.
- Isa 65:5who say, ‘Stay by yourself, don’t come near to me, for I am holier than you.’ These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day.
- Isa 28:14Therefore hear Yahweh’s word, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem:
- Isa 29:14–19therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden.”
- Isa 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent 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.