John 7:45
What does John 7:45 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:45 means
The officers return to the chief priests and Pharisees without Jesus. Asked why they did not bring Him, they must explain their failure. This shows that the attempt to arrest was organized and intentional, not a casual impulse. Their empty hands testify to the power of Jesus’ presence and words, which disarmed their mission. The verse draws attention to a clash between institutional command and spiritual authority. Those sent to bind Him find themselves bound by awe. Their report will reveal that argument or force cannot easily stand against the compelling truth He speaks.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the servants went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, Why have you not got him with you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the officers came, therefore, unto the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, `Wherefore did ye not bring him?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The ministers therefore came to the chief priests and the Pharisees. And they said to them: Why have you not brought him?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, Why have ye not brought him?
Context
After repeated failures to seize Jesus in public, the narrative moves indoors to a debrief with the authorities. The officers’ explanation in the next verse highlights the extraordinary impact of Jesus’ speech (verse 46). This will trigger the Pharisees’ scornful response, appealing to elite consensus and insulting the ignorant multitude (verses 47–49), before Nicodemus raises a legal challenge (verses 50–51).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:21
And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.
- John 7:32
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
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