During the Feast of Booths, the Jewish leaders expected Jesus to be in Jerusalem and were looking for an opportunity to kill Him (John 7:1-2, 11). After Jesus began to teach and “many of the crowd believed in Him…the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him” (John 7:31-32).
Later, the officers returned without Jesus. Naturally, the chief priests and Pharisees questioned them: “Why did you not bring Him?” (John 7:45). Their answer revealed their recognition that Jesus was different from anyone else they had encountered: “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks” (John 7:46).
The rulers replied, “You have not also been led astray, have you? No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed” (John 7:47-49). Essentially, their point was that the rulers should be trusted implicitly and any conclusion that was not the “official” explanation about Jesus was the result of ignorance.
The idea that one must either accept whatever the “elites” say or be labeled as “ignorant” is commonly seen in our society today – especially on matters pertaining to politics and government rule. Yet this is also true in religion. However, it does not matter how many religious leaders promote some doctrine or practice; if it is not what the Scriptures teach, then it is not right. The word of God is the ultimate authority (cf. John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
So remember that rulers are not the standard. Rather than follow what men say, we need to follow Christ. Let us do His will no matter what the “elites” think.