John 2:23

KJV

¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when {G5613} he was {G2258} in {G1722} Jerusalem {G2414} at {G1722} the passover {G3957}, in {G1722} the feast {G1859} day, many {G4183} believed {G4100} in {G1519} his {G846} name {G3686}, when they saw {G2334} the miracles {G846}{G4592} which {G3739} he did {G4160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now while Yeshua was in Yerushalayim at the Pesach festival, there were many people who “believed in his name” when they saw the miracles he performed.

Berean Standard Bible

While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name.

American Standard Version

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 2:23 marks a pivotal moment early in Jesus' public ministry, describing His presence in Jerusalem during the Passover feast. Amidst the throngs gathered for the holy day, many witnessed the miraculous "signs" He performed and, as a result, expressed an initial belief "in His name." This verse sets the stage for a deeper exploration in John's Gospel regarding the nature of true faith, distinguishing between superficial assent based on observable wonders and a genuine, transformative trust in Jesus' person and divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows two significant events in John's narrative: Jesus' first public miracle, transforming water into wine at the wedding in Cana ([John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana")), and His dramatic cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). The Cana miracle revealed His glory to His disciples, leading them to believe. The Temple cleansing demonstrated His authority and zeal for God's house, provoking questions from the Jewish leaders about His authority and a demand for a sign ([John 2:18](/john/2-18 "John 2:18 - Demand for a Sign")). John 2:23 shifts the focus from specific events to a broader observation of Jesus' impact on the general populace in Jerusalem, setting up the subsequent encounter with Nicodemus in [John 3](/john/3 "John 3 - Nicodemus and Being Born Again"), which further probes the nature of belief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of Jerusalem during the Passover feast is profoundly significant. Passover was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Pentecost and Tabernacles) that required all Jewish males to travel to Jerusalem. This meant the city would have been overflowing with pilgrims from across the Roman Empire, creating an immense audience for Jesus' ministry. The Passover itself commemorated God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt through the sacrifice of a lamb, a foundational event in Jewish history and theology. Performing "miracles" (signs) in this context would have resonated deeply with a people accustomed to God's mighty acts of deliverance and prophetic authentication. The expectation of a Messiah who would perform signs and deliver Israel was widespread, making Jesus' actions particularly compelling to the crowds.

* **Key Themes:** John 2:23 introduces and develops several crucial themes within John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Belief Through Signs**, emphasizing that Jesus' "miracles" (Greek: *sēmeia*, "signs") served as compelling evidence, drawing many to an initial form of faith. John consistently presents Jesus' works not merely as wonders but as deliberate pointers to His divine identity and mission, culminating in the declaration that these signs are recorded so that readers "might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")). Secondly, the **Passover Setting** underscores Jesus' identity as the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover Lamb, who would take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of the **Nature of Early Belief**. While many "believed," the following verses ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus' Discernment")) reveal that Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, indicating that their faith, while real in some sense, was perhaps superficial or based on external phenomena rather than a deep, transformative commitment to His person. This distinction between genuine and superficial faith is a recurring motif in John's Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." In this context, it signifies an intellectual assent and initial trust in Jesus based on the observable evidence of His works. However, as the subsequent verses imply, this belief does not necessarily equate to the full, saving faith that involves complete surrender and understanding of Jesus' true identity and mission.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** From G3686, "name" refers to more than just a label; it encompasses the person's authority, character, and very essence. To "believe in his name" (G1519 *eis* G3686 *ónoma* G846 *autou*) implies a belief that extends beyond mere facts about Jesus to an initial acceptance of who He is and what He represents. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that this initial acceptance may not have fully grasped the depth of His divine nature or the spiritual implications of His mission.
* **miracles (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** From G4592, this word means "an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally." John deliberately uses *sēmeîon* ("sign") rather than *dynamis* ("power" or "mighty work") to emphasize that Jesus' acts are not merely displays of power but are significant pointers, revealing His identity as the Son of God and the Christ. These "signs" serve as divine credentials, inviting observers to look beyond the physical act to the spiritual truth it signifies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day]":** This clause establishes the critical setting—Jerusalem during the annual Passover festival. This context is vital, as it places Jesus at the heart of Jewish religious life during a time of national pilgrimage, ensuring a large audience for His ministry. The Passover also carries profound symbolic weight, foreshadowing Jesus' role as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb.
* **"many believed in his name":** This indicates a widespread, positive response to Jesus among the crowds. Their "belief" was an acknowledgment of His unique authority and divine backing, leading them to place a certain level of trust in Him. The phrase "in his name" suggests an initial recognition of His person and authority, even if not yet a full comprehension of His saving work.
* **"when they saw the miracles which he did":** This clarifies the catalyst for their belief: the observable "signs" or "miracles" Jesus performed. These powerful acts served as compelling evidence, convincing many that He was indeed someone sent from God, or even the long-awaited Messiah. The emphasis is on the visual evidence as the basis for their initial faith.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. **Symbolism** is prominent, with Jerusalem and the Passover feast serving as powerful symbols. Jerusalem represents the center of Jewish worship and the place where the Messiah was expected to appear, while the Passover feast **foreshadows** Jesus' ultimate sacrifice as the true Lamb of God. There is also a subtle **irony** present: while "many believed" because of the signs, the subsequent verses (John 2:24-25) reveal that Jesus did not "entrust Himself" to them, indicating a superficiality in their faith. This sets up a **contrast** between external, sign-based belief and deeper, transformative faith, a theme that recurs throughout John's Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 2:23 introduces a critical distinction concerning the nature of faith, a central theological theme in John's Gospel. While many were drawn to Jesus through His miraculous signs, their belief was primarily based on observable phenomena rather than a deep, personal understanding and commitment to His divine person and mission. This highlights that true faith, as presented by John, transcends mere intellectual assent to facts or wonder at supernatural displays. It requires a spiritual discernment of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and a complete entrustment of one's life to Him, leading to spiritual transformation and eternal life. This verse serves as a foundational moment, demonstrating that while signs can initiate belief, they are ultimately meant to point beyond themselves to the One who performs them, inviting a deeper, enduring faith.

* [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")
* [John 3:1-2](/john/3-1-2 "John 3:1-2 - Nicodemus Seeks Jesus")
* [John 6:26-27](/john/6-26-27 "John 6:26-27 - Jesus Rebukes Superficial Motives")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 2:23 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God often uses tangible evidence—whether through powerful works, the transformed lives of others, or the compelling testimony of Scripture—to draw people to Himself. However, the verse also subtly warns against a superficial faith that rests solely on external proofs or emotional experiences, without a deeper commitment to Jesus' person and teachings. True, saving faith goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment of facts or wonder at miracles; it involves a personal, enduring trust and surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are called to cultivate a faith that is rooted in understanding who Jesus is, His redemptive work, and His call to discipleship, a faith that perseveres even when signs are not evident. This passage invites us to examine the depth and quality of our own belief, ensuring it is not merely a response to circumstances but a steadfast reliance on the living Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the difference between believing *in* Jesus' name and merely believing *about* Jesus?**
* **How might our own faith be prone to being superficial, based on external circumstances rather than a deep relationship with Christ?**
* **In what ways do "signs" (whether miracles, answered prayers, or transformed lives) still draw people to Christ today, and how can we point people beyond the signs to the Savior?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not entrust himself to those who believed, as implied by the verses immediately following John 2:23?**

Answer: The subsequent verses, [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus' Discernment of Hearts"), clarify that Jesus "knew all people" and "knew what was in man." This indicates that while many believed in His name due to the signs, their faith was likely superficial, based on excitement or a desire for physical benefits, rather than a genuine spiritual understanding and commitment. Jesus, in His divine discernment, recognized that their belief was not yet the deep, transformative faith that leads to true discipleship and eternal life. He knew their hearts were not fully surrendered, and therefore, He did not commit Himself to them in the same way He would to His true disciples.

**What is the significance of the Passover setting for Jesus' ministry in John 2:23?**

Answer: The Passover setting is deeply symbolic and crucial for understanding Jesus' identity and mission. Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the sacrifice of a lamb, an event central to their national identity. By beginning His public ministry in Jerusalem during this feast, Jesus implicitly positions Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His presence and the signs He performs at this time foreshadow His own sacrificial death, which would bring about a greater deliverance for humanity from the bondage of sin. It highlights His divine authority and His role as the Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecies.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 2:23, while describing an initial, perhaps superficial, belief in Jesus based on His miracles, ultimately points to the profound truth of Christ's identity and His redemptive work. The "signs" Jesus performed were not ends in themselves, but divine pointers to His true nature as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. The crowds' belief, however incomplete, was a response to the visible manifestation of God's power in Jesus. This foreshadows the ultimate "sign" of Christ's death and resurrection, which definitively proves His claims and offers the basis for true, saving faith. As the Lamb of God, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Passover typology, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The belief "in His name" ultimately finds its full expression in recognizing Jesus as the resurrected Lord, through whom alone salvation and eternal life are found ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). Thus, this early scene in John's Gospel lays the groundwork for understanding that all of God's redemptive history, including the signs and festivals, culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one in whom all true faith must be placed for genuine spiritual transformation ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 8:13

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

John 6:14

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Ephesians 3:16

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Ephesians 3:17

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Galatians 5:6

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

John 7:31

And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.