51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
51 "Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?"
51 "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"
51 "Does our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?"
51 "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?"
51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:51
Commentary on John 7:40-53
(Read John 7:40-53)
The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily lose their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swayed by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses things which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies.