John 7:40-44 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Many of the people therefore Even the officers sent to apprehend Christ, (see John 7:46,) as welt as many others of our Lord's hearers; when they heard this saying Namely, the gracious invitation above mentioned, which indeed was a more free declaration and promise than he commonly made, were so affected thereby, that they exclaimed, Of a truth this is the Prophet Namely, the prophet like unto Moses, mentioned Deuteronomy 18:15. For, as the article is prefixed, it is most natural to render the expression, the prophet. And yet, as in the next verse this prophet is distinguished from the Christ; perhaps they only intended to signify that they thought one of the ancient prophets was revived. For many of the Jews supposed, that not only Elias, but also another of the prophets, would appear again among them, before the coming of the Messiah: to which opinion the question put to John, (John 1:21,) Art thou that prophet, may be considered as referring. See the note there. Others said, This is the Christ The Messiah himself. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? This they spoke because they were led away with a common mistake, that Jesus was born in Nazareth. Hath not the Scripture said, &c. Is not your acknowledging a Galilean for the Messiah contrary to the Scriptures, which have determined his nativity to Bethlehem, the town of his ancestor David? But how could they forget that Jesus was born there? Had not Herod the Great given them terrible reason to remember it, by the general massacre made of all the infants in that town and neighbourhood. So there was a division among the people because of him They were divided in their sentiments, and a warm dissension took place among them on his account. And some would have taken him The contention was carried to such a height, that his enemies, considering him as the cause of it, and knowing on what errand the officers were come, threatened to apprehend him, and would have done it, had they not been restrained by the providence of God.