"Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, 'Why have you not brought Him?' The officers answered, 'No man ever spoke like this Man!' Then the Pharisees answered them, 'Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.' Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 'Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?' They answered and said to him, 'Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee'" (John 7:45-52).

"Why have you not brought Him?" - This was the question asked of the officers who were sent to arrest Jesus when they came back without Him (cf. John 7:32).

Their response is as true now as it was then - "No man ever spoke like this Man!" These officers were ordinary men, not the ruling elite. Their answer reveals that they were honest men who actually listened to what Jesus was teaching. They were not blinded by rage, prejudice, or lust for power, as their leaders were. In fact, they were so impressed by Jesus' words that they were willing to risk angering their superiors by letting Him go. On top of that, they did not try to make excuses for their actions; they candidly revealed their thoughts about Jesus.

"Are you also deceived?" - The prejudice and arrogance of the Pharisees comes through loud and clear with these words. They don't even stop to ask these officers what teachings of Jesus prompted their decision. Why not? Because they really don't care. Their attitude was one of bitterness, hatred, and scorn. In their eyes if anyone held a favorable view of Jesus, then he must be deceived. There is no way that Jesus could be right because He opposed them, and they cannot be wrong (or so they thought)!

"Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?" - The question they ask here expects a "No" answer. The Pharisees seek to support their position by pointing out the fact that none of the men of prominence and influence (i.e., "the rulers") believe in Jesus. The implication is that anyone who does believe in Him is lacking in intelligence and easily deceived.

"This crowd that does not know the law is accursed" (7:49). Basically, the Pharisees are telling these officers that they are to respect their authority and judgment and not be influenced by the multitude that is condemned because of its ignorance.

Interestingly, there is a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews who did believe in Jesus--Nicodemus (cf. John 3:1ff). He was able to speak to his fellow leaders from a position of equality. "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" - Nicodemus shows great courage here in asking this question. Essentially, he is pointing out that they were breaking the very law which they claimed to be knowledgeable of and faithful to (cf. Deut. 1:16; Exod. 23:1). It takes much courage today to stand up for what is right and against what is wrong, but that is what God calls His children to do (e.g., Acts 5:29; 7:51-53; Gal. 2:11; etc.). When we remain silent, we deny the Lord (cf. Matt. 10:33; James 4:17)!

The other leaders react strongly to Nicodemus' words, but they don't answer his question at all. They would rather ridicule than reason - "Are you also from Galilee?" (John 7:52). They don't care about justice, just the elimination of Jesus! This was a verbal attack against Nicodemus by labeling him with those from Galilee who formed the main group of Jesus' disciples. Even one of their own who wasn't under the "curse of ignorance" (cf. 7:49) would not be accepted if he supported Jesus in any way. The bias and hatred of these religious leaders toward Jesus is immense. As Nicodemus learned, it is exceedingly difficult to reason with those who have their minds made up before considering all of the facts objectively.

"Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee" - Technically speaking, this is not accurate for Jonah was a prophet from Galilee (cf. II Kings 14:25). It is possible that Elijah was also from Galilee (cf. I Kings 17:1). Of course, these Jews were not so concerned about accuracy as they were destroying Jesus (especially since had they investigated properly, they would have learned that Jesus wasn't born in Galilee anyway)! However, they were not about to let the truth get in the way of their wicked plans! May we never be of that disposition! "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (I Thess. 5:21).