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Commentaries
English
John
  
25Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?26And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?27Yet we know where this man comes from; and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from."


Jerusalem folk arrived at the temple to find a large crowd. When they noticed Jesus in the midst the focus of attention they were furious, since he was still moving freely, despite the order for his arrest. That news was common knowledge.
The citizens of the capital mocked the Council for its weak handling of the case. The Romans had removed the right of imposing the death penalty from the Jewish rulers. People sneered saying, "The wanted man moves about freely in the city, preaching in the temple court unafraid. The rulers have no power to ban him. The priests were unable to bring him down with arguments or debate."
Others responded by, "You do not understand, some of the rulers may believe in him as the Messiah." This was the point made to explain their reluctance to arrest Jesus. Public opinion was divided among all groups.
A third opinion: If Messiah’s coming is assumed, he would radiate in a glorious mystic form, not be an ordinary person. This young man was a carpenter from the mountain village. The true Messiah will descend straight from heaven, not wandering among common people.