John 7:31 – “Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, ‘When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?’”

Extended Explanation

In John 7:31, we see a contrast between those who rejected Jesus and those who were starting to believe in Him. While the religious leaders were plotting against Him (John 7:30), many ordinary people in the crowd were convinced by what they had seen and heard.

These people reasoned that if Jesus was not the Messiah, then who else could possibly do more miracles than He had already done? Their logic was simple but profound: the coming Messiah was expected to perform signs and wonders, and Jesus had already done incredible miracles, such as healing the sick, feeding thousands, and even raising the dead. If someone else were to come, could they really do more than Jesus?

This verse shows that some people were honestly evaluating Jesus’ works and coming to faith in Him. They were not blinded by tradition or fear of the religious leaders. Instead, they looked at the evidence and concluded that Jesus must be the promised Savior.

Historical Context

At this point, Jesus was teaching publicly in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a major Jewish festival that celebrated God’s provision and His presence among His people. It was also a time when Messianic hopes were heightened, as the people longed for God to send a Deliverer.

The religious leaders had already been trying to turn the crowd against Jesus, but their efforts were not completely successful. Many common people had witnessed His miracles firsthand. They had seen Him heal the lame, feed multitudes, and demonstrate authority over nature.

Jewish expectations of the Messiah varied. Some expected a political leader who would free them from Roman rule. Others expected a supernatural figure who would perform great signs. The people in this verse reasoned that no one could possibly do more than what Jesus had already done. Their question was rhetorical—Jesus had already done enough to prove who He was.

This moment reveals the growing division among the people. Some were open to believing in Jesus, while others were waiting for more proof or clinging to their traditions. The religious leaders, on the other hand, saw Jesus as a threat and wanted to eliminate Him.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key spiritual truths:

1. Faith is based on evidence – The people who believed in Jesus did so because they saw what He had done. God does not ask for blind faith; He provides reasons to believe.
2. Miracles point to Jesus’ identity – The signs and wonders Jesus performed were not just random acts of kindness. They were meant to show that He was the Messiah.
3. People respond to Jesus in different ways – Some believe, some reject, and some remain undecided. This pattern continues today.
4. Belief does not require full understanding – The people in this verse did not have all the answers, but they saw enough to trust in Jesus. True faith often starts with simple trust in what God has revealed.

This verse also highlights a key theme in John’s Gospel: belief in Jesus is the dividing line between those who are truly God’s people and those who reject Him.

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel frequently contrasts belief and unbelief, and this verse is part of that theme.

• “Still, many in the crowd believed in him.” – This shows that despite opposition, Jesus’ works were leading people to faith.
• “They said, ‘When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?’” – This rhetorical question expresses confidence that Jesus had done more than enough to prove Himself.

John often presents people reasoning about Jesus’ identity. Unlike the religious leaders, who rejected Him out of pride and fear, these people were honestly considering the evidence. Their belief may not have been fully developed, but it was a step in the right direction.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 2:23 – “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.” Miracles led people to faith in Jesus.
• John 6:14 – “After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’” Many recognized that Jesus’ miracles pointed to His identity.
• Matthew 11:3-5 – “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? … The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Jesus confirmed His identity by pointing to His miracles.
• John 20:30-31 – “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John’s Gospel is written to lead people to belief through Jesus’ signs.
• Hebrews 2:3-4 – “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles.” Miracles confirm God’s message.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

John 7:31 reminds us that faith in Jesus is not blind—it is based on real evidence. God has given us plenty of reasons to believe, from the miracles Jesus performed to the testimony of Scripture.

This verse also challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus. The people in this passage asked, “Could anyone do more than this man?” Today, we have even more evidence—Jesus not only performed miracles, but He also died and rose again. If the people of Jesus’ time had enough reason to believe, how much more should we trust in Him today?

It also reminds us that people will always respond to Jesus in different ways. Some believe immediately, some resist, and others remain on the fence. Our job is to continue sharing the truth so that more people can see the evidence and come to faith.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He provided clear evidence for people to believe. He did not just send Jesus with words—He confirmed Jesus’ identity through miraculous works. This shows that God wants people to come to Him and is willing to reveal Himself in ways that they can understand.

God’s love is also seen in how He allows people to respond freely. Some in the crowd believed, while others rejected Jesus. God does not force belief—He invites people to trust in Him through what He has revealed.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus’ miracles were a direct sign that He was the Messiah. The fact that people believed because of His works confirms that His mission was unfolding according to God’s plan.

This verse also foreshadows the growing division over Jesus. While some were beginning to believe, others—including the religious leaders—were hardening their hearts against Him. This pattern continued throughout His ministry and ultimately led to His crucifixion.

However, Jesus’ greatest sign was still to come—His resurrection. The miracles He performed during His life were just the beginning of the ultimate proof of His identity.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why did some people in the crowd believe in Jesus while others rejected Him?
2. How do miracles serve as evidence of Jesus’ identity?
3. What signs do we have today that confirm Jesus is the Messiah?
4. How should we respond when people around us are unsure about Jesus?
5. In what ways can we strengthen our own faith by remembering what Jesus has done?

John 7:31 is a reminder that faith in Jesus is not based on wishful thinking—it is based on real, historical evidence. The question remains: Do we recognize that Jesus has done more than enough to prove who He is, or are we still waiting for something more?