What does John 7:51 mean?

Despite the understandable stereotype, not all Pharisees were blatant hypocrites or irrational egotists. Nicodemus lives out concepts such as education, reason, and morality. He demonstrates a reasonable mind, even when investigating someone critical of his sect such as Jesus (John 3:1–2). Pharisees were deeply respected in first-century Judea because they were generally intelligent, moral, educated men. But their approach was misguided, and their interpretations virtually guaranteed a sense of arrogance.

The leadership of the Pharisees in Jerusalem, however, is beside themselves with hatred for Jesus. They have already made up their minds to have Jesus killed (John 5:18). They rage when men sent to arrest Jesus comment on His amazing words (John 7:46). All Nicodemus has suggested is that his fellow experts in the Law follow the Law. That text explicitly says that Jesus is owed due process (Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 1:16–17; Proverbs 18:13). In other words, the code Pharisees claim to live by demands Jesus be given a hearing, not immediate condemnation.

Sadly, Nicodemus's associates are so blindly enraged by Jesus that they reject this suggestion out of hand. They will not merely ignore Nicodemus's request. They will insult him by suggesting that he is backwards and low-class, like the Galilean Jesus. And they will issue a challenge which is ironically self-defeating (John 7:52).