John 7:31

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} many {G4183} of {G1537} the people {G3793} believed {G4100} on {G1519} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G3004},{G3754} When {G3752} Christ {G5547} cometh {G2064}, will he do {G3385}{G4160} more {G4119} miracles {G4592} than these {G5130} which {G3739} this {G3778} man hath done {G4160}?

Complete Jewish Bible

However, many in the crowd put their trust in him and said, “When the Messiah comes, will he do more miracles than this man has done?”

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
During the climactic Feast of Tabernacles, a significant portion of the Jerusalem populace, witnessing Jesus' profound teachings and undeniable miraculous works, began to seriously consider His identity. Their question, "When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?", reveals a burgeoning belief in His extraordinary power and a simultaneous wrestling with their deep-seated expectations for the long-awaited Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within [John Chapter 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles"), which details Jesus' presence at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The chapter opens with Jesus initially avoiding Judea due to plots against Him, then secretly going up to the Feast ([John 7:1-10](/john/7-1-10 "John 7:1-10 - Jesus Goes to the Feast")). Once there, He begins teaching openly in the temple courts, immediately sparking division among the crowds ([John 7:11-13](/john/7-11-13 "John 7:11-13 - Division Over Jesus")). His teachings challenge the religious authorities, who are actively seeking to arrest Him ([John 7:14-24](/john/7-14-24 "John 7:14-24 - Jesus Teaches at the Feast")). The people's reaction in [John 7:31](/john/7-31 "John 7:31 - Many Believe") marks a significant shift, as their admiration for His works begins to outweigh their fear of the authorities, setting the stage for the Pharisees and chief priests to send officers to seize Him immediately after this declaration of belief ([John 7:32](/john/7-32 "John 7:32 - Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, a joyous celebration commemorating Israel's wilderness wanderings and the Lord's provision, as well as looking forward to the Messianic age. It involved special rituals, including a water-drawing ceremony (which Jesus likely alluded to in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Living Water")) and a lighting ceremony, both rich with Messianic symbolism. The Jewish people of Jesus' day held diverse but fervent expectations for the Messiah, often envisioning a powerful, miracle-working deliverer who would liberate them from Roman oppression and restore Israel's glory. Prophecies like those in [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Miracles of the Messiah") described the Messiah performing signs such as healing the blind, deaf, and lame. The question posed in [John 7:31](/john/7-31 "John 7:31 - Many Believe") directly reflects this cultural expectation, as the people weighed Jesus' undeniable deeds against their prophetic understanding of the Messiah's coming.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Signs as Evidence**, where Jesus' miracles (Greek: *semeia*, "signs") are not mere displays of power but deliberate pointers to His divine identity and Messianic claims. The sheer volume and quality of these signs compel belief. Secondly, it underscores the intense **Messianic Expectation** prevalent in Israel, revealing how the people were actively seeking the Christ and evaluating potential candidates against their prophetic criteria. Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **Incomplete or Conditional Faith**, as the people's belief, while genuine, is still tinged with a lingering question and a subtle reluctance to fully affirm Jesus as "the Christ," referring to Him instead as "this [man]." This tension between burgeoning belief and lingering doubt is a recurring motif in John. Finally, it sets the stage for the **Division and Conflict** that Jesus' ministry consistently provoked, as popular belief in Him directly challenged the authority and machinations of the religious leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "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 a genuine conviction or intellectual assent to Jesus' identity and power, prompted by His signs. However, the subsequent question suggests this belief, while significant, may not yet be a full, saving entrustment, but rather an initial recognition of His extraordinary nature.
* **miracles (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** From G4592, meaning "an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally." In John's Gospel, *semeia* are not just wonders but "signs" that point beyond themselves to a deeper truth about Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Christ. The people recognized the supernatural nature of Jesus' deeds, understanding them as powerful indicators of divine endorsement.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** From G5547, meaning "anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus." This word directly reflects the Jewish expectation of the "Anointed One," the promised deliverer. The people's question explicitly links Jesus' actions to the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, indicating that His works were forcing them to consider Him as the long-awaited figure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And many of the people believed on him":** This clause highlights a significant shift in public opinion. Despite the official opposition and the murmuring among the crowds, a substantial number of ordinary people were deeply impressed by Jesus' teaching and, more so, by His "signs." Their belief was not merely intellectual agreement but an active recognition of His unique authority and power, leading them to place a degree of trust or conviction "on him." This indicates a growing momentum of popular support for Jesus.
* **"and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?":** This rhetorical question, posed by those who had come to believe, reveals the precise nature of their faith: it was strong enough to acknowledge Jesus' unparalleled power but still conditional. They were comparing Jesus' undeniable works to their preconceived notions of what the Messiah would do. The phrase "When Christ cometh" suggests a future expectation, implying they had not yet fully reconciled Jesus' present reality with their ideal Messiah. The subtle distinction "this [man]" (referring to Jesus) rather than "the Christ" or "the Son of God" further underscores their hesitation or incomplete understanding, despite the overwhelming evidence of His "miracles." They were on the cusp of full recognition but still held back by traditional expectations.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several **Literary Devices** in this verse to convey its profound meaning. The central **Rhetorical Question** posed by the people ("When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?") is not truly a request for information but a powerful expression of their internal struggle and dawning realization. It functions to emphasize the overwhelming nature of Jesus' signs, which were so compelling that they forced people to consider His Messianic identity. There is a subtle **Irony** at play: while the question seems to express doubt or a need for more proof, it paradoxically affirms the unprecedented scale of Jesus' miraculous works, implicitly acknowledging that no one else had ever performed such deeds. The use of "miracles" (Greek: *semeia*) is a form of **Symbolism** throughout John's Gospel; these are not just wonders but "signs" that point to Jesus' divine nature and Messianic claims. Finally, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the people's burgeoning belief, however incomplete, and the hardened unbelief and active opposition of the religious authorities, setting up the escalating conflict that defines much of John 7.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:31 stands as a powerful testament to the revelatory nature of Jesus' ministry, where His miraculous deeds served as divine attestations to His identity. The people's question, while revealing a degree of lingering doubt, simultaneously affirms the unprecedented power displayed by Jesus, forcing them to confront their Messianic expectations. Theologically, this highlights the principle that God often provides sufficient evidence for faith, yet true belief requires a step beyond mere intellectual assent to a personal commitment. The "signs" Jesus performed were not ends in themselves but invitations to recognize Him as the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, the one through whom God's ultimate salvation would come. Their question implicitly acknowledges that Jesus' works surpassed all previous prophetic and historical precedents, making Him the most compelling candidate for the Christ.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18-19](/deuteronomy/18-18-19 "The Prophet Like Moses")
* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Prophecies of Messianic Miracles")
* [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "The Purpose of John's Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:31 invites us to examine the nature of our own faith. Are we, like "many of the people," impressed by Jesus' power and teachings, intellectually assenting to His claims, yet still holding back from full, unqualified commitment? The people's question, "Will he do more miracles than these...?", reflects a common human tendency to seek more evidence, more assurance, or a more convenient manifestation before fully trusting. Yet, Jesus' works were already overwhelmingly sufficient to prove His identity. For us today, this verse challenges us to move beyond a conditional faith—one that waits for further signs or ideal circumstances—to a robust and complete trust in who Jesus has already revealed Himself to be through His life, death, and resurrection. It reminds us that the evidence for Christ is abundant, and true faith embraces Him as the present reality of God's saving power, rather than waiting for some future, greater demonstration. Our call is to believe *on* Him, not merely *about* Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kind of "miracles" or evidence do I tend to look for before fully committing to God's will or promises?**
* **In what ways might my faith be "incomplete" or "conditional," similar to the people in this verse?**
* **How can I move beyond intellectual assent to a deeper, more trusting relationship with Jesus Christ?**
* **How do Jesus' past works and revelations provide sufficient grounds for my present and future faith?**

### FAQ

**Why did "many" believe, yet still ask this question about more miracles?**

Answer: The "belief" described here was likely an initial, intellectual conviction or recognition of Jesus' extraordinary power and divine favor, prompted by His undeniable miracles. However, it was not yet a full, saving faith that embraced Him unconditionally as the Messiah. The question, "When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?", reveals their lingering doubt and their struggle to reconcile Jesus' present reality with their deeply ingrained, often nationalistic, expectations of the Messiah. They were impressed but still weighing the evidence against their traditional understanding, perhaps waiting for a final, irrefutable sign that would align perfectly with their preconceived notions of the Christ's arrival and deeds. Their faith was genuine in its admiration but not yet complete in its surrender.

**What was the Jewish expectation of the Messiah's miracles, and how did Jesus' works compare?**

Answer: Jewish Messianic expectations, shaped by Old Testament prophecies, often included the Messiah performing powerful signs and wonders. For example, [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Miracles of the Messiah") prophesied that in the Messianic age, "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Jesus consistently fulfilled these prophecies, performing a multitude of healings, exorcisms, and nature miracles that surpassed anything seen before. The people's question in [John 7:31](/john/7-31 "John 7:31 - Many Believe") implicitly acknowledges that Jesus had already done *more* than anyone could expect, even from the Messiah. His works were not just impressive; they were unprecedented, forcing the question of His true identity.

**What is the significance of the phrase "this [man]" when referring to Jesus?**

Answer: The phrase "this [man]" (Greek: *hoûtos*, G3778) is significant because it subtly reveals the people's hesitation or incomplete understanding of Jesus' divine status. While they were convinced by His miracles, they still referred to Him in a somewhat detached, human way, rather than immediately proclaiming Him as "the Christ" or "the Son of God." This indicates that despite the overwhelming evidence, they had not yet fully embraced His Messianic claims or recognized His unique relationship with God. It suggests a lingering reluctance to fully acknowledge His divine authority, perhaps due to His humble origins or the lack of official endorsement from the religious leaders. It highlights the tension between what they saw and what they were willing to believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 7:31, with its depiction of people grappling with Jesus' identity in light of His miracles, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the promised Messiah and the full revelation of God. The people's question, "When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?", implicitly acknowledges that Jesus' signs were indeed Messianic in scope and power, surpassing all prior expectations. Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, not merely a prophet or a great teacher, and His miracles were not just displays of power but **signs** (Greek: *semeia*) pointing to His divine nature and the inauguration of God's kingdom. As the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), Jesus perfectly embodied God's truth and power, and His works were a direct manifestation of the Father's will. The New Testament consistently presents Jesus' miracles as irrefutable proof of His Messiahship and divine authority, as seen in Peter's sermon where Jesus is described as "a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him" ([Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus Attested by God")). While the people in John 7:31 were still contemplating if the Messiah would do *more* miracles, Jesus later promised His followers that they would do "greater works" than these, referring to the spiritual transformation and global evangelism empowered by the Holy Spirit after His ascension ([John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works")). Thus, Jesus not only fulfilled the Messianic prophecies through His signs but also ushered in a new era where His redemptive work, culminating in His death and resurrection, became the ultimate "sign" of God's love and salvation, inviting all to believe and receive 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

John 12:42

¶ Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

Matthew 12:23

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

John 10:41

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

John 10:42

And many believed on him there.

John 9:16

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

John 11:45

¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

John 8:30

As he spake these words, many believed on him.