Devine Scripture

John 7:31

What does John 7:31 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:31 means

Many in the multitude believe in Jesus, reasoning that when the Christ comes, He will not do more signs than this man has done. Their faith, though perhaps sign-based, recognizes the remarkable evidence before them. They weigh His works and conclude He fits the messianic expectation better than any imagined alternative. This shows that the same revelation that hardens some hearts softens others. Amid confusion and opposition, truth bears fruit. Their question is rhetorical, leaning toward confession: who else could accomplish such things? This growing belief further alarms the authorities, who fear losing control over the people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And numbers of the people had belief in him, and they said, When the Christ comes will he do more signs than this man has done?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and many out of the multitude did believe in him, and said--`The Christ--when he may come--will he do more signs than these that this one did?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But of the people many believed in him and said: When the Christ cometh, shall he do more miracles than this man doth?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But many of the crowd believed on him, and said, Will the Christ, when he comes, do more signs than those which this [man] has done?

Context

Right after the failed attempt to seize Jesus, many in the crowd voice belief, citing His signs. This prompts a more organized response: the Pharisees hear the murmuring and, together with the chief priests, send officers to apprehend Him (verse 32). The mounting belief accelerates official hostility, setting the stage for Jesus’ statements about His imminent departure to the One who sent Him (verses 33–34).

v.30They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.

v.31This passage

v.32The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 10:41

    And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.

  • Luke 8:13

    And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

  • John 4:39

    And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things thateverI did.

  • John 9:16

    Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.

  • John 12:11

    because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

  • John 12:42

    Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

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