John Calvin Commentary John 7:32

"The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him." — John 7:32 (ASV)

The Pharisees heard. From this it appears that the Pharisees, as if they were keeping watch, were eager on all occasions to prevent Christ from being known. Initially, the Evangelist calls them only Pharisees, and next he adds to them the priests, of whom the Pharisees were a part.

There can be no doubt that, as they wished to be regarded as the greatest zealots for the Law, they opposed Christ more bitterly than all the other sects; but finding that their own efforts were not sufficient to oppress Christ, they entrusted the matter to the entire priestly order. Thus, those who otherwise differed among themselves now conspire together, under the guidance of Satan, against the Son of God.

Meanwhile, since the Pharisees had such ardent zeal and such incessant toil for defending their tyranny and the corrupt state of the Church, how much more zealous should we be in maintaining the kingdom of Christ! The Papists today are no less frenzied or less eager to extinguish the Gospel. And yet, it is monstrously wicked that their example does not, at least, stimulate our desires and cause us to labor with greater boldness in the defense of true and sound doctrine.