many believed on him Nothing exasperated His opponents so much as His success; and therefore in leading us on to the final catastrophe, the Evangelist carefully notes the instances in which He won, though often only for a time, adherents and believers. See on John 6:15. Among these -many" were some of the hierarchy (John 8:51). Their faith, poor as it proves, is better than that of the many in John 2:23; belief that results from teaching is higher than that which results from miracles. Jesus recognises both its worth and its weakness, and applies a test, which might have raised it to something higher, but under which it breaks down.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising