Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a crucial, yet often missed, aspect of these people's belief: they're not just impressed by Jesus's ability to perform miracles, but they're evaluating Him against their expectations of the Messiah. Their question, "Will he do more signs...?" reveals they're already seeing Jesus as a potential fulfillment of prophecy, prompting them to measure Him by their understanding of what the Christ should do.
Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been teaching and performing signs in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, causing division among the crowds. While many are amazed and question if he is the Messiah, religious leaders plot to arrest him. This verse shows that despite the opposition and confusion, Jesus’ powerful signs stirred genuine faith in many ordinary people, leading them to consider if he was indeed the Christ they were awaiting.
The crowd's belief in Jesus seems strong, but was it the solid rock of true faith or shifting sand? What were they really looking at?
The people in John 7:31 express a powerful statement of belief: "many of the people believed in him." However, the following question, "When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?" reveals the basis of their belief. They are impressed by Jesus' signs – His miracles.
Miracles as Proof
A Fragile Foundation
Ask a follow-up
While many in the crowd are starting to believe, the religious leaders are actively plotting against Jesus. What does this contrast reveal about spiritual perception?
John 7 presents a striking contrast between the crowd's growing belief and the leadership's determined opposition. This isn't just a story about different opinions; it's about vastly different spiritual landscapes.
Opposition from the Top
A Glimmer of Hope Below
The Danger of Spiritual Pride
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The promised deliverer of Israel, the Anointed One of God, whom the Old Testament prophets foretold would come to establish God's kingdom.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
Miraculous acts intended to point beyond themselves to the identity of the miracle-worker and the truth of the message they proclaim, revealing the power and presence of God.
The crowds' belief in Jesus, rooted in His miraculous signs, highlights a common expectation that the Messiah would be defined by powerful works after a long period of divine silence. This focus on signs, rather than deeper doctrine, reveals both the hope and the potential superficiality of their faith, setting the stage for conflict with the religious authorities.
c. 450 BC - c. 1 BC
The Silent Centuries
Following the Old Testament period, there was a long period with no prophetic voices or overt divine signs recorded in Scripture. This created a strong expectation among Jewish people that when the Messiah finally appeared, He would be accompanied by unmistakable signs and wonders.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus performs numerous miracles, including feeding the crowds and healing the sick. Many people in Galilee witness or hear about these powerful signs, which are seen as potential indicators of the Messiah.
c. 30-33 AD
Festival Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Many Galileans, having heard about Jesus' powerful signs, travel to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. They are eager to see Jesus and witness His works firsthand, bringing their expectations of the Messiah with them.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches Publicly in the Temple
During the festival, Jesus openly teaches in the temple courts. His teachings and the miracles attributed to Him (like the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda earlier) stir debate and belief among the crowds.
c. 30-33 AD
Pharisees and Temple Leaders React
Religious leaders, threatened by Jesus' popularity and teachings, debate His identity and send temple guards to arrest Him. They view His growing following with suspicion and hostility.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Discourse on His Departure
In response to the attempts to arrest Him and the disbelief of the leaders, Jesus speaks about His impending departure to the One who sent Him. This causes confusion and further questioning among the crowds and leaders.
This passage describes the signs the coming Messiah would perform, directly linking to the crowd's reasoning that Jesus' miracles pointed to Him being the Christ.
Matthew 11:2-6John the Baptist, imprisoned, sent messengers to Jesus asking if He was the Coming One, to which Jesus responded by pointing to His miracles. This highlights the expectation of miracles as proof of the Messiah.
John 3:2Nicodemus, a Pharisee, approaches Jesus at night, acknowledging Him as a teacher sent by God because of His miraculous signs, mirroring the crowd's reasoning in John 7:31.
1 Corinthians 1:22This verse speaks of Jews demanding signs as a basis for belief, which resonates with the crowd in John 7 who are convinced by Jesus' signs and miracles.
vincentJohn 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?"
Will he do (μήτι ποιήσει)Literally, surely he will not at all do.
calvinJohn 7:31-36: "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?"
- And many of the multitude believed in him, and said, When Christ shall come, will he do more miracles than this man doth? 32. The Pharisees heard the multitude muttering these things concerning him; and the Pharisees and priests sent officers to seize him. 33. Jesus, therefore, said to them, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go to him who…
The verse highlights a crucial, yet often missed, aspect of these people's belief: they're not just impressed by Jesus's ability to perform miracles, but they're evaluating Him against their expectations of the Messiah. Their question, "Will he do more signs...?" reveals they're already seeing Jesus as a potential fulfillment of prophecy, prompting them to measure Him by their understanding of what the Christ should do.
Jesus has just been teaching and performing signs in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, causing division among the crowds. While many are amazed and question if he is the Messiah, religious leaders plot to arrest him. This verse shows that despite the opposition and confusion, Jesus’ powerful signs stirred genuine faith in many ordinary people, leading them to consider if he was indeed the Christ they were awaiting.
Jesus has just been teaching and performing signs in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, causing division among the crowds. While many are amazed and question if he is the Messiah, religious leaders plot to arrest him. This verse shows that despite the opposition and confusion, Jesus’ powerful signs stirred genuine faith in many ordinary people, leading them to consider if he was indeed the Christ they were awaiting.
"Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”" — The verse highlights a crucial, yet often missed, aspect of these people's belief: they're not just impressed by Jesus's ability to perform miracles, but they're evaluating Him against their expe…
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Last reviewed October 2026