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?”
• New King James Version (NKJV)And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
• New Living Translation (NLT)The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.

Context of John 7:15

13Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. 14About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" 16So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

John 7:15 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
• marvelledθαυμάζωthaumazō · to marvelG2296
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Howπῶςpōs · how?!G4459
• knowethεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• this manοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• lettersγράμμαgramma · something writtenG1121
• havingμανθάνωmanthanō · to learnG3129
• neverμήmē · notG3361

Cross-references for John 7:15

• John 7:46The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!"
• Matthew 7:28And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
• Matthew 22:22When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
• Luke 2:47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
• Matthew 13:54and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
• Mark 6:2And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?
• Luke 4:22And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
• Acts 2:7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
• Acts 4:11This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
• Amos 7:14Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.

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