Then came the officers Better, Therefore came the officers, i.e. because neither they nor any of the multitude had ventured to arrest Him. Under the control of God's providence (John 7:30), they had been unable to find any good opportunity for taking Him, and had been over-awed by the majesty of His words (John 7:46).

to the chief priests and Pharisees See on John 7:32. It would seem as if the Sanhedrin had continued sitting, waiting for the return of its officers; an extraordinary proceeding on so great a day (see on John 7:37), shewing the intensity of their hostility. Their question is quite in harmony with this.

they said The pronoun used (ekeinoi) indicates that they are regarded as alien or hostile to the narrator.

Why have ye not brought Why did ye not bring?

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