John 7:26

26 And here he is talking openly and they say nothing to him! Is it possible that the rulers have knowledge that this is truly the Christ?

John 7:26 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:26

But lo, he speaketh boldly
And with great freedom, and openly and publicly in the temple, as if he had a licence from the chief priests for so doing:

and they say nothing to him;
do not contradict him, or forbid him speaking; he goes on without control; though he takes great liberty in charging the Jews with an intention to kill him, in arguing from their practices in vindication of himself, and in suggesting that they judged in favour of men, and not according to the truth of things.

Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
have they changed their minds concerning him, and so their conduct towards him? are they convinced, and do they know by plain demonstrations, and full proof, that he is really the Messiah that has been promised of old, and long expected?

John 7:26 In-Context

24 Let not your decisions be based on what you see, but on righteousness.

25 Then some of the people of Jerusalem said, Is not this the man whose death is desired?

26 And here he is talking openly and they say nothing to him! Is it possible that the rulers have knowledge that this is truly the Christ?

27 However, it is clear to us where this man comes from: but when the Christ comes no one will have knowledge where he comes from.

28 Then, when he was teaching in the Temple, Jesus said with a loud voice, You have knowledge of me and you have knowledge of where I come from; and I have not come of myself; but there is One who has sent me; he is true, but you have no knowledge of him.