John 7:51

Authorized King James Version

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Μὴ
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#2
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
νόμος
law
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
#4
ἡμῶν
our
of (or from) us
#5
κρίνει
Doth
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
#6
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
ἄνθρωπον
any man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#8
ἐὰν
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
#9
μὴ
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#10
ἀκούσῃ
it hear
to hear (in various senses)
#11
παρ'
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
#12
αὐτοῦ
him
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
#13
πρότερον,
before
previously
#14
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
γνῷ
know
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
#16
τί
what
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#17
ποιεῖ
he doeth
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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