43. So the crowd was divided about him.
44. Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.
45. When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46. “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.
47. “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked.
48. “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?
49. This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”
50. Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.
51. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.
52. They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”----------[The most ancient Greek manuscripts do not include John 7:53–8:11.]