Have you also been deceived?The Pharisees' question reflects their disbelief and disdain for those who were beginning to believe in Jesus. This phrase highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. The Pharisees were the religious elite, known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They viewed Jesus as a threat to their authority and influence. The use of the word "deceived" suggests that they believed Jesus was misleading the people, a common accusation against prophets who challenged the status quo. This echoes the skepticism seen in other parts of the Gospels, where religious leaders question Jesus' authority and teachings (e.g.,
Matthew 12:24,
Mark 3:22).
replied the Pharisees.
The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their emphasis on purity laws and oral traditions. Their reply indicates a defensive posture, as they were concerned about maintaining their control over religious interpretation and practice. Historically, the Pharisees were influential in the synagogues and among the common people, which made their opposition to Jesus significant. Their response here is part of a broader narrative of conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, which ultimately leads to His crucifixion. This interaction is a precursor to the growing hostility that Jesus faces, as seen in later chapters of John and the Synoptic Gospels.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhariseesA religious and political group in ancient Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and traditions. They often opposed Jesus and His teachings.
2.
Temple GuardsOfficers sent by the Pharisees to arrest Jesus, but they returned without Him, impressed by His teachings.
3.
JesusCentral figure in the New Testament, whose teachings and miracles challenged the religious authorities of His time.
4.
Feast of TabernaclesA Jewish festival during which this event takes place, highlighting themes of God's provision and presence.
5.
JerusalemThe city where these events occur, a central place for Jewish worship and the location of the Temple.
Teaching Points
Spiritual DiscernmentThe Pharisees' question reveals their spiritual blindness and inability to discern the truth of Jesus' teachings. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit.
Authority and TraditionThe Pharisees' reliance on tradition and authority can lead to a closed heart. Christians should balance respect for tradition with openness to God's new revelations.
Courage to Stand for TruthThe temple guards showed courage by not arresting Jesus, despite orders. Believers are called to stand firm in their faith, even when it contradicts societal or religious pressures.
The Danger of PrideThe Pharisees' pride prevented them from accepting Jesus. Humility is essential for spiritual growth and recognizing God's work in our lives.
The Role of Doubt and QuestioningQuestioning can lead to deeper faith if approached with a sincere heart. Believers should not fear doubt but use it as a tool for growth and understanding.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of John 7:47?
2. How does John 7:47 challenge us to discern truth from religious leaders?
3. What does John 7:47 reveal about the Pharisees' attitude toward Jesus' teachings?
4. How can we avoid the Pharisees' mistake in John 7:47 in our lives?
5. Which other scriptures warn against blindly following religious authorities like in John 7:47?
6. How can John 7:47 inspire us to seek truth directly from God's Word?
7. Why did the Pharisees dismiss Jesus' teachings in John 7:47?
8. How does John 7:47 reflect the conflict between religious authority and Jesus' message?
9. What historical context influenced the Pharisees' reaction in John 7:47?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 7?
11. What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?
12. Luke 7:36-50 - How does the anointing of Jesus by a sinful woman align, or conflict, with other anointing accounts in the Gospels regarding location, timing, and participants?
13. John 7:52 - The Pharisees claim no prophet arises from Galilee, but Jonah was from Galilee; is this an error or contradiction?
14. What are the different names for Satan?What Does John 7:47 Mean
Have you• The Pharisees turn from debating Jesus (John 7:32, 45) to challenge the temple officers who returned empty-handed.
• By addressing them directly, the leaders reveal their alarm that even those under their authority are impressed by Jesus’ words (compare Matthew 7:28-29).
• Scripture shows that when people truly hear the Lord, they must respond (John 5:24); the officers had heard and paused, while the rulers harden their hearts (Exodus 8:15).
also• “Also” sets the Pharisees apart as if immune to persuasion, implying a self-appointed spiritual elite (Luke 18:11-12).
• They fear a growing ripple effect: first the crowds (John 7:31), then the officers, and, if unchecked, even themselves (John 12:19).
• Their stance echoes Proverbs 26:12—“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
been deceived?• They label Jesus’ influence “deception,” the same charge later hurled at Him on the cross (Matthew 27:63).
• Isaiah 53:3 foretold that Messiah would be “despised and rejected,” a prophecy fulfilled in their accusation.
• Ironically, they confirm Jeremiah 17:9 by revealing the deceit within their own hearts while denying the truth standing before them (John 14:6).
replied the Pharisees.• Their reply is not a genuine inquiry but a dismissive rebuke, illustrating 1 Corinthians 1:20—“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
• Position, tradition, and fear of losing control blind them to the evidence the officers had just witnessed (John 7:46).
• The scene previews later confrontations when religious power resists the gospel (Acts 4:1-3), yet God’s purposes advance undeterred (Acts 5:39).
summaryJohn 7:47 captures a pivotal moment of escalating hostility: the self-assured Pharisees, threatened by Jesus’ growing impact, scornfully question their own officers, exposing prideful hearts resistant to truth. Their choice of words—“Have you also been deceived?”—reveals both their contempt for faith in Christ and their blindness to the reality unfolding before them. The passage warns against trusting human status over God’s Word and affirms that sincere exposure to Jesus’ teaching demands a humble, believing response.
(47)
Are ye also deceived?--The emphasis is upon the
ye. "Ye whose duty it is simply to obey, who were sent to bring Him captive before us--do ye also yield to His power?" It is the Pharisees who ask this, and their spirit is shown in the matter of their question. They make no inquiry as to what He had said, though it must have struck them as a phenomenon demanding explanation that their own officials had been convinced by His teaching. It is at once assumed that they, too, had been
deceived. It is this sect of the Pharisees who speak of Him as "that
deceiver" (
Matthew 27:63).
Verse 47. -
The Pharisees therefore answered them. Evidently the Pharisees were the leading spirits in this assault upon Jesus. The guardians of the orthodoxy of Israel, in the haughty pride of their order, are piqued and angry.
Have ye also - the chosen servants of the august council of the nation
- been led astray? In
Matthew 27:63 these Pharisees speak of the Divine Lord as "this deceiver (
ἐκεῖνος ὁ πλάνος)." Are folly and weakness, if not treachery and corruption, at work so near the centre of our authority?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“{Have} youὑμεῖς (hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.alsoκαὶ (kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. been deceived?”πεπλάνησθε (peplanēsthe)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.repliedἈπεκρίθησαν (Apekrithēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.theοἱ (hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Pharisees.Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.
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NT Gospels: John 7:47 The Pharisees therefore answered them You aren't (Jhn Jo Jn) 
