John 7:15

John 7:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
• New International Version (NIV)The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

Context of John 7:15

13However, no one spoke openly concerning him on account of [their] fear of the Jews. 14But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught. The Jews therefore wondered, saying, How knows this [man] letters, having never learned? 16Jesus therefore answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but [that] of him that has sent me. 17If any one desire to practise his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is of God, or [that] I speak from myself.

John 7:15 word by word

ἐθαύμαζον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι λέγοντες· πῶς οὗτος γράμματα οἶδεν μὴ μεμαθηκώς;¶Read the interlinear

• JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• wonderedθαυμάζωthaumazō · to marvelG2296
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Howπῶςpōs · how?!G4459
• manοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• lettersγράμμαgramma · something writtenG1121
• neverμήmē · notG3361
• learnedμανθάνωmanthanō · to learnG3129

Cross-references for John 7:15

• John 7:46The officers answered, Never man spoke thus, as this man [speaks].
• Matthew 7:28And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his doctrine,
• Matthew 22:22And when they heard [him], they wondered, and left him, and went away.
• Luke 2:47And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
• Matthew 13:54And having come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence has this [man] this wisdom and these works of power?
• Mark 6:2And when sabbath was come he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing were amazed, saying, Whence [has] this [man] these things? and what [is] the wisdom that is given to him, and such works of power are done by his hands?
• Luke 4:22And all bore witness to him, and wondered at the words of grace which were coming out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this the son of Joseph?
• Acts 2:7And all were amazed and wondered, saying, Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans?
• Acts 4:11He is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders, which is become the corner stone.
• Amos 7:14And Amos answered and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit.

Commentaries on John 7:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? - The Jewish learning consisted in the knowledge of their own scriptures, and the traditions of their elders. In this learning our blessed Lord excelled. No person ever spoke with more grace and dignity, or knew better how to make a more proper use, or a happier application, of Jewish allegories and parables; because none ever penetrated the sense of the Scriptures as he did; none ever cited them more…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Knoweth this man letters - The Jewish letters or science consisted in the knowledge of their Scriptures and traditions. Jesus exhibited in his discourses such a profound acquaintance with the Old Testament as to excite their amazement and admiration. Having never learned - The Jews taught their law and tradition in celebrated schools. As Jesus had not been instructed in those schools, they were amazed at his learning. What early human teaching the Saviour…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-24Verses 14-24 Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15They wondered how he could teach with such understanding. Jesus had not studied under a well-known rabbi (a Jewish teacher of the law). Instead, he said that his teaching came from his heavenly Father. This was different from many Jewish teachers. For example, Peter and John were known as untrained men (Acts 4:13). In contrast, Paul had studied under a respected teacher (Acts 22:3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-1514-15. about the midst of the feast--the fourth or fifth day of the eight, during which it lasted. went up into the temple and taught--The word denotes formal and continuous teaching, as distinguished from mere casual sayings. This was probably the first time that He did so thus openly in Jerusalem. He had kept back till the feast was half through, to let the stir about Him subside, and entering the city unexpectedly, had begun His "teaching" at the…Read the comment

Topics related to John 7:15

• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Temple

In the dictionaries

• Division
• Judge
• Thither
• Ignorance
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• Law in the New Testament
• Temple
• Unlearned

Commentaries on John 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings