John 7:44 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Would have taken him - Or, they wished to seize him. And this they would have done, and destroyed him too at that time, had they been unanimous; but their being divided in opinion, John 7:43, was the cause, under God, why his life was at that time preserved. How true are the words of the prophet: The wrath of man shall praise thee; and the remainder thereof thou wilt restrain! Psalms 76:10.