Charles Ellicott Commentary John 7:51

"Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?" — John 7:51 (ASV)

Does our law judge any man?—He identifies Himself with them. He, like they, is an expounder of the Law. The force of the question is in the word “Law,” which they had used just a moment before in their scorn for the people who did not know the Law. “Well, this Law, which we know and understand, does it judge without open investigation?” Did they in their blind zeal forget such passages as Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 1:16–17; Deuteronomy 19:15? They had determined a death and were seeking to carry their sentence into effect in direct contravention of the Law. This holy people, instructed in the Law—they were the Law-breakers.

Before it hears him.—The better reading is, unless it hears first from him.

And know what he does.—i.e., know the deed for which he is tried.