Nicodemus saith unto them,— From the presence of Nicodemus, this appears to have been a meeting of the council whereof he was a member; for had it been a private cabal of the great men to take away Christ's life, Nicodemus, who was one of his disciples, would never have joined them. It seems the council was met to try Jesus on the charge of his being a false prophet; (compare John 7:31-32.) And as the priests had upbraided their servants with ignorance of the law, Nicodemus's reproof, John 7:51 was smooth and sharp, "Doth our law, with which you boast so much acquaintance, judge and condemn any man before the magistrate appointed to execute it summon him into his presence, that he may hear from him what he has to say in his own defence, and know from credible witnesses what he hath done to deserve punishment?" See Deuteronomy 17:8; Deuteronomy 17:11 and Deuteronomy 19:15, &c. This reproof was the more poignant, as it was well founded; and in effect it amounts to a charge, that, while they professed such a knowledge of the law, and zeal for it, they either knew not, or regarded not, some of its plainest precepts, and were even unmindful of those, which, as they were a court of judicature, were their peculiar concern.
Related Commentaries of John 7:50
John 7:50-51
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesusd by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?