John 7:44

44 And some of them wolde have taken him: but no man layed hondes on him.

John 7:44 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:44

And some of them would have taken him
Some of the latter sort, who did not believe he was the Messiah; who were the most averse to him, and hot and furious against him; these were for seizing him at once in a violent manner, and for carrying him before the sanhedrim, as an impostor and blasphemer to be examined and tried, and judged by them, to whom it belonged to judge and determine concerning such persons:

but no man laid hands on him;
though they had a good will to it, no man had power to do it; they were held back and restrained by the providence of God; and were diverted from it upon one consideration or another; either fearing the people, or being awed by the majesty of Christ's countenance, or words; the true reason of which was, that which is before given, that his hour was not yet come.

John 7:44 In-Context

42 Sayeth not the scripture that Christ shall come of the seed of David: and out of the toune of Bethleem where David was?
43 So was ther dissencion amonge the people aboute him.
44 And some of them wolde have taken him: but no man layed hondes on him.
45 Then came ye ministres to ye hye prestes and pharises. And they sayde vnto the: why have ye not brought him?
46 The servautes answered never man spake as this man doeth.
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