My Notes
What Does John 7:48 Mean?
The Pharisees dismiss the crowd's growing interest in Jesus with a contemptuous question: "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?" The argument is social, not theological: no one important believes in Jesus, so he must not be legitimate. Credibility is measured by who endorses, not by what's true.
The logical fallacy is transparent: authority validates truth. If the establishment believes, it's true. If the establishment doesn't believe, it's false. The crowd's faith is dismissed because it comes from common people (verse 49: "this people who knoweth not the law are cursed"). The Pharisees explicitly connect theological credibility to social status.
The irony is thick: Nicodemus — a ruler and Pharisee — had already come to Jesus by night (John 3). And in the very next verse (7:50), Nicodemus speaks up in Jesus' defense. The question "have any rulers believed?" is answered immediately by a ruler who has.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where do you evaluate truth based on who believes it rather than what's actually being said?
- 2.How does credentialism (only experts can discern truth) function as a barrier to genuine faith?
- 3.What does Nicodemus's presence in the room do to the Pharisees' argument?
- 4.When has the 'crowd' been right about something the 'experts' dismissed?
Devotional
Has anyone important believed in him? That's the Pharisees' test for truth: check the endorsement list. If the elites haven't signed on, it can't be real.
This is the credentialism that has been killing genuine spiritual movements since the first century. The truth of a message is measured not by its content but by who endorses it. If the right people believe, it's legitimate. If only common people believe, it's dismissed. The Pharisees don't evaluate Jesus' words or examine his miracles. They check his follower demographics.
The contempt for the crowd (verse 49 — "this people who knoweth not the law are cursed") reveals the deeper attitude: the common people are disqualified from spiritual discernment. Their faith doesn't count. Their experience doesn't matter. They're cursed because they lack the Pharisees' education. Truth, in this system, requires a theological degree to perceive.
The irony demolishes the argument: Nicodemus — a Pharisee, a ruler, a member of the Sanhedrin — has already believed enough to seek Jesus out. And in the very next verse, he speaks up. The question "have any rulers believed?" is answered by a ruler in the room. The Pharisees' own credentialism is defeated by their own colleague.
Before you dismiss a spiritual movement because it lacks institutional endorsement, remember: the Pharisees used the same argument to reject Jesus. The crowd was right. The experts were wrong. Truth doesn't need a credential to be true.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Doth our law judge any man,.... Or condemn any man; or can any man be lawfully condemned:
before it hear him: what he…
The rulers - The members of the Sanhedrin, who were supposed to have control over the religious rites and doctrines of…
Have any of the rulers - believed on him? - Very few. But is this a proof that he is not of God? No, truly. If he were…
The chief priests and Pharisees are here in a close cabal, contriving how to suppress Christ; though this was the great…
What right have you to judge for yourselves, contrary to the declared opinion of the Sanhedrin and of the orthodox…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture