John 7:45
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
Original Language Analysis
Ἦλθον
came
G2064
Ἦλθον
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
1 of 17
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπηρέται
the officers
G5257
ὑπηρέται
the officers
Strong's:
G5257
Word #:
4 of 17
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 17
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
7 of 17
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Φαρισαίους
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίους
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
9 of 17
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν;
him
G846
αὐτόν;
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκεῖνοι,
they
G1565
ἐκεῖνοι,
they
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
13 of 17
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
Historical Context
Temple police were trained Levites tasked with maintaining order and executing Sanhedrin directives. Their failure to arrest Jesus despite clear orders shows how His authority transcended coercive power. This foreshadows Jesus's arrest scene (John 18:6) where arresters fall backward at His word. Even hostile force cannot oppose Christ apart from His permission.
Questions for Reflection
- What prevented the officers from arresting Jesus?
- How does divine authority transcend human power?
- What does this teach about power of gospel truth over hostile force?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The temple officers return empty-handed to the authorities who sent them (verse 32). The question 'Why have ye not brought him?' expects an excuse or explanation. The authorities anticipated Jesus's arrest; the officers' failure demands explanation. Verse 46 provides it—they were overwhelmed by Jesus's teaching authority.