John 7:50
What does John 7:50 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:50 means
Nicodemus, who earlier came to Jesus and is one of the council, speaks up. His intervention is cautious but courageous in a hostile room. He does not yet confess Jesus as the Christ; he appeals to process and justice. Still, it signals a heart moving toward the light. His identity as “one of them” shows that not all rulers are of one mind, countering the leaders’ claim that no Pharisee believes. Nicodemus’s presence hints that the truth is working quietly, even within the ranks of Jesus’ opponents.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them),
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Nicodemus--he who had come to Jesus before, being himself one of them--said to them,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Nicodemus saith unto them--he who came by night unto him--being one of them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Nicodemus said to them (he that came to him by night, who was one of them):
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Nicodemus says to them (being one of themselves),
Context
Against the chorus of contempt, Nicodemus raises a procedural question rooted in the Law. His earlier encounter with Jesus adds depth to his concern. The next verse quotes his appeal to hear before judging (verse 51). The council will answer with insult and a dismissive claim about Galilee (verse 52). The exchange shows resistance to both fairness and truth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:39
And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
- John 3:1
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
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