John 7:26
What does John 7:26 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:26 means
They note that Jesus speaks openly and unmolested, and wonder if the rulers indeed recognize that He is the Christ. Their logic is tentative: if the authorities aren’t stopping Him, perhaps they secretly assent to His claim. The observation underscores the mismatch between appearances and reality. The rulers’ inaction is not faith but restraint under divine timing. Yet the question reveals how Jesus’ fearless teaching unsettles assumptions. It pushes the crowd to consider His identity more seriously: either He is a deceiver to be seized, or He truly is the Messiah. Neutrality grows harder as He continues to speak.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?
KJV
King James Version · 1611But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And here he is talking openly and they say nothing to him! Is it possible that the rulers have knowledge that this is truly the Christ?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and, lo, he doth speak freely, and they say nothing to him; did the rulers at all know truly that this is truly the Christ?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And behold, he speaketh openly: and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth that this is the Christ?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers then indeed recognised that this is the Christ?
Context
The locals’ recognition of the plot leads to speculation about the rulers’ silence. Immediately, others counter with an objection based on supposed knowledge of Jesus’ origins (verse 27). This tension propels Jesus to cry out in the temple, clarifying His divine sending and the crowd’s ignorance of the Sender (verses 28–29). The debate shifts from political calculation to theological reality.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 9:22
These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
- Psalms 71:15
My mouth shall tell of thy righteousness, Andof thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof.
- Isaiah 42:4
He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.
- John 11:47
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
- Matthew 22:16
And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
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