John 7:30-32 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then they sought to take him “The defence which he made did not pacify his enemies, for some of them would gladly have apprehended him; however, none of them had the courage to lay hands on him, being restrained by Providence, because the season of his sufferings was not yet come.” And many of the people believed on him “In the mean time the miracle which he had lately performed on the infirm man was so great and so well known, and this defence, by which he justified himself, so clear and convincing, that many of the people believed on him publicly affirming, that he was the Messiah.” The Pharisees heard that the people murmured Or, whispered, rather, see on John 7:12; such things concerning him And were greatly displeased and alarmed at it; and, with the other members of the sanhedrim, particularly the chief priests, among whom were many Sadducees, (Acts 4:1,) sent officers From the chamber in which they held their council, into the adjacent court of the temple; to take him To apprehend and bring him before them, thinking thus, it seems, to confute his pretensions, and punish him. This, as appears from John 7:45; John 7:50; John 7:53, took place on the last and great day of the feast.