John 7:31

John 7:31, in plain English

Despite all the controversy, many in the crowd believe in Jesus. They reason: When the Messiah comes, will He do more miracles than this man has? The evidence speaks for itself.

Why it's here

In the middle of all the tension and arguing, faith is quietly growing. Not everyone is rejecting Jesus; many are putting the pieces together.

Who's speaking

The Gospel writer notes the growing faith among the crowd, even in the midst of opposition.

Where it sits in the story

Sometimes faith grows in the most hostile environments. While the leaders plot and the crowds argue, real belief is taking root in the hearts of many.

The scholarly reading

Despite the opposition, many (polloi) in the crowd believe (episteusan) in Jesus, reasoning that the Messiah could not possibly perform more signs (sēmeia) than Jesus has already done.

Language and setting

The crowd's faith is based on signs (sēmeia), which in John's Gospel is a lower form of faith than believing without seeing (20:29), yet it represents a genuine response to the evidence of Jesus' identity.

Voice

The narrator reports the faith response of many in the crowd, based on the evidence of Jesus' miraculous signs.

Significance

Even as the authorities plot and the crowd divides, many come to faith. Their reasoning is sound: if the Messiah Himself came, could He do more than Jesus has already done? The miracles point where they should.

29but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.”

30So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

31Many in the crowd, however, believed in Him and said, “When the Christ comes, will He perform more signs than this man?”

32When the Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Jesus, they and the chief priests sent officers to arrest Him.

33So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me.

Read all of John 7 — Jesus appears at the Festival of Tabernacles and divides the crowd. Some say he's a prophet, some say he's the Messiah, and some want him arrested.