John 7 15

John 7:15 kjv

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

John 7:15 nkjv

And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?"

John 7:15 niv

The Jews there were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having been taught?"

John 7:15 esv

The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?"

John 7:15 nlt

The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.

John 7 verses

John 7 15 Meaning

John 7:15 captures the bewilderment of the Jewish authorities and populace in Jerusalem regarding Jesus' profound teachings, given His perceived lack of formal rabbinic education. They were astonished that someone without conventional schooling in the scriptures or the rabbinical tradition could demonstrate such deep understanding and authoritative interpretation, questioning the source and legitimacy of His wisdom.

John 7 15 Context

John chapter 7 recounts Jesus' attendance at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) in Jerusalem. Initially, He went up privately, avoiding immediate public confrontation. The city was already buzzing with speculation about Him, some believing He was the Christ, others vehemently rejecting Him, questioning His authority and origin. John 7:15 specifically follows Jesus' public teaching in the temple on the middle days of the feast, which astounded His listeners. Historically, formal rabbinic education involved years of studying under renowned teachers (rabbis) to master the Torah, Mishnah, and their interpretations. This education conferred legitimacy and authority to teach. For someone without such credentials to speak with profound insight was highly unconventional and provoked suspicion among the religious establishment, who typically viewed anyone outside their system as ignorant or illegitimate. This was also a culture deeply valuing lineage and proper training for any public role, especially religious.

John 7 15 Word analysis

• The Jews (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, hoi Ioudaioi): In John's Gospel, this often refers specifically to the Jewish religious authorities and their supporters, who were largely antagonistic towards Jesus, rather than the general Jewish populace. It denotes those holding institutional power or representing the established religious order.
• therefore marveled (ἐθαύμαζον, ethaumazon): This verb conveys astonishment, wonder, and often bewilderment. Here, it suggests a mix of surprise, possibly grudging admiration for Jesus' words, but ultimately an underlying suspicion due to His unconventional background. Their marveling wasn't necessarily a sign of belief but of perplexity.
• saying (λέγοντες, legontes): Indicates their vocal expression of this marveling and questioning.
• How does this Man know letters (Πῶς οὗτος γράμματα οἶδεν, Pōs houtos grammata oiden): "Letters" (γράμματα, grammata) here signifies not just the ability to read and write, which many Jews of the time possessed, but specifically deep knowledge of the sacred Scriptures (the Law and Prophets) and the traditional rabbinic interpretations. To "know letters" implies having formal theological training. The "How" expresses their disbelief in His profound understanding given His background. "This Man" (οὗτος, houtos) is often used by His detractors in a dismissive tone.
• having never studied (μὴ μεμαθηκώς, mē memathēkōs): This phrase emphasizes the absence of formal, traditional rabbinic discipleship and education. Jesus did not sit at the feet of revered rabbis like Hillel or Shammai; He had no academic pedigree or seminary degree of His day. This highlights the perceived lack of legitimate credentials from the perspective of the religious elite.

Words-group analysis

• "The Jews therefore marveled, saying": This group identifies the specific group (the authorities) who expressed this astonishment and frames their following question as an outcome of their perplexity concerning Jesus' teaching.
• "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?": This rhetorical question encapsulates the core dilemma faced by Jesus' antagonists. It posits a direct contradiction: profound scriptural knowledge without conventional formal instruction. It serves as an attack on His perceived lack of rabbinic qualification, attempting to discredit His authority. This reveals their reliance on human certification over divine anointing.

John 7 15 Bonus section

The question "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" reveals a fundamental tension throughout the Gospels between outward appearances and divine reality. The religious leaders were fixated on pedigree and external qualifications, creating a blind spot that prevented them from recognizing Jesus' divine source of knowledge (John 7:16). This was a common obstacle to faith among many during Jesus' ministry: they sought to explain His wisdom or miracles through human means rather than acknowledging His unique relationship with the Father. The idea of divine revelation apart from human academies was both disturbing and threatening to an establishment built on scholarly transmission. It speaks to the sovereignty of God who teaches directly and grants wisdom to whom He chooses, independent of worldly accolades.

John 7 15 Commentary

John 7:15 distills the essence of the religious establishment's conflict with Jesus: their inability to comprehend His divine authority because it did not conform to their human systems and expectations. Their astonishment was rooted in the prevailing belief that spiritual understanding and teaching authority derived exclusively from formal rabbinic training, discipleship under recognized teachers, and adherence to established traditions. Jesus, originating from Nazareth, a region generally dismissed, and lacking a recognized rabbinical master or institutional credentials, defied all their assumptions about legitimacy. This verse highlights the deep irony that those steeped in the "letters" often missed the Living Word (John 1:1), prioritizing human certification and tradition over direct divine wisdom. It underscores the contrast between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God, challenging the notion that true spiritual insight is confined to scholarly institutions, reminding us that God's ways often diverge from human expectations and qualifications.