But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Parallel translations
- WEB But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is accursed.”
- 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 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 Cor 1:20–21Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
- Jas 3:13–18Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- John 9:40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
- John 9:34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
- Isa 65:5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
- Isa 28:14Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
- Isa 29:14–19Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
- Isa 5:21Woe unto them that 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
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