40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This really is the Prophet."
40 Those in the crowd who heard these words were saying, "This has to be the Prophet."
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet."
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting."
41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others asked, "How can the Messiah come from Galilee?
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee?
41 Others said, "He is the Messiah!" But others were saying, "The Messiah doesn't come from Galilee, does he?
41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?
(Read John 7:40-53)
The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily lose their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swayed by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses things which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 7:40
Commentary on John 7:40-53
(Read John 7:40-53)
The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily lose their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swayed by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses things which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies.