John 7:47
What does John 7:47 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:47 means
The Pharisees retort, “Are ye also led astray?” They frame the officers’ reaction as deception, not discernment. Unable to refute Jesus’ words, they attack those impressed by Him. This is an ad hominem strategy that protects their position by shaming dissent. Their response reveals insecurity and a closed heart. They do not ask what He said or why it moved the officers; they simply condemn. The verse exposes the danger of spiritual pride that cannot consider evidence because it threatens authority and tradition. Truth is not evaluated; it is preemptively dismissed as delusion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the Pharisees said to them, Have you, like the others, been given false ideas?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Pharisees, therefore, answered them, `Have ye also been led astray?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Pharisees therefore answered them: Are you also seduced?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also deceived?
Context
After the officers’ testimony to Jesus’ unique speech, the leaders respond with scorn. Next they bolster their case by pointing to elite unbelief—no rulers or Pharisees have believed (verse 48)—and cursing the unlearned crowd (verse 49). This appeal to authority and contempt for the laity set the backdrop for Nicodemus’s reminder of legal due process (verses 50–51), which they also reject with insult (verse 52).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 32:15
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe ye him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?
- Matthew 27:63
saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.
- 2 Corinthians 6:8
by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
- 2 Kings 18:32
until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive-trees and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, Jehovah will deliver us.
- John 7:12
And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.
- John 9:27
He answered them, I told you even now, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? would ye also become his disciples?
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