John Gill 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
Or condemn any man; or can any man be lawfully condemned:

before it hear him :
what he has to say for himself; is this the usual process in our courts? or is this a legal one to condemn a man unheard?

and know what he does ?
what his crimes are. This he said, having a secret respect for Christ, though he had not courage enough openly to appear for him.