John 7:32
What does John 7:32 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:32 means
Hearing the crowd’s murmurs toward belief, the Pharisees, with the chief priests, send officers to arrest Jesus. Religious parties often at odds unite against Him. Their response to rising faith is coercion, not inquiry. They feel threatened by His influence and authority. This official move indicates the conflict’s escalation from debate to attempted seizure. Yet their power will again prove limited. The verse reveals a tragic irony: those entrusted to shepherd Israel attempt to silence the true Shepherd. Their action prompts Jesus to speak about a short remaining time with them and His return to the Sender.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This discussion of the people came to the ears of the Pharisees; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent servants to take him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers that they may take him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Pharisees heard the people murmuring these things concerning him: and the rulers and Pharisees sent ministers to apprehend him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers that they might take him.
Context
As public sentiment tilts toward Jesus, the authorities escalate. Jesus answers not by fleeing but by declaring that He will soon go to the One who sent Him (verse 33), adding that they will seek but not find Him (verse 34). These words puzzle His opponents, who speculate about teaching the Dispersion among the Greeks (verses 35–36). The misunderstanding sets up His climactic invitation at the feast’s close.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 12:23
And all the multitudes were amazed, and said, Can this be the son of David?
- Luke 22:52
And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?
- John 7:45
The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
- 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 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter.
- Acts 5:26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
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