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Joh_7:31. According to the reading ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου δὲ πολλοί (see the critical notes), ὄχλος stands emphatically opposed to the subjects of ἐζήτουν in Joh_7:30. Δὲ after three words, on account of their close connection; see Klotz, ad Devar. p. 378; Ellendt, Lex. Soph. I. 397.
ἐπίστ . εἰς αὐτ .] not only as a prophet (Tholuck), or as one sent of God (Grotius), but conformably with the fixed sense of the absolute expression (comp. Joh_7:5), as the Messiah. What follows does not contradict this, but rather sustains their avowal that they see realized in Jesus their ideal-miracle of the promised Messiah; and, accordingly, ὁ Χριστὸς ὅταν ἔλθῃ does not imply any doubt on their part as to the Messiahship of Jesus, but refers to the doubt of the opposite party. Comp. Euthymius Zigabenus John 2 : θῶμεν , ἕτερον εἶναι τὸν Χριστὸν , ὡς οἱ ἄρχοντες λέγουσιν , etc.
ὅτι ] might be regarded as giving the reason for their faith (Nonnus: μὴ γὰρ χριστὸς , κ . τ . λ .), but more simply as recitative.
μή ] yet not more signs, etc.? To the one miracle wrought in Jerusalem (Joh_7:21) they added the numerous Galilaean miracles, which they, being in part perhaps pilgrims to the feast from Galilee, had seen and heard.