The people murmured such things - That is, that the question was agitated whether he was the Messiah; that it excited debate and contention; and that the consequence was, he made many friends. They chose, therefore, if possible, to remove him from them.

The people murmured such things - The people began to be convinced that he was the Messiah; and this being generally whispered about, the Pharisees, etc., thought it high time to put him to death, lest the people should believe on him; therefore they sent officers to take him.

The Pharisees heard that the people murmured,.... Or whispered, privately talked among themselves:

such things concerning him; as that surely he must be the Messiah, since such wonderful things were done by him, and might also express some uneasiness and surprise, that the rulers did not receive him as such:

and the Pharisees, and the chief priests, sent officers to take him: and bring him before the sanhedrim, by them to be condemned, and so a stop be put to the people's receiving him, and believing in him as the Messiah; fearing, that should things go on at this rate, their principles and practices would be rejected, and their persons and authority be brought into contempt.

Officers (ὑπηρέτας)

See on Matthew 5:25; see on Luke 1:2.

{14} The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

(14) As the kingdom of God increases, so increases the rage of his enemies, till at last they seek in vain for those missing blessings which they despised when they were present.

7:32 The Pharisees heard. The bitterest enemies of Christ. When they heard that the people were believing, they thought it time for action, so

the Pharisees and chief priests, that is, the Sanhedrin,

sent officers to take him. This was an official act, the first official attempt of the Sanhedrin to take Jesus. They had purposed it before, but had not taken action.

32. heard that the people murmured-that mutterings to this effect were going about, and thought it high time to stop Him if He was not to be allowed to carry away the people.

7:31-36 The discourses of Jesus convinced many that he was the Messiah; but they had not courage to own it. It is comfort to those who are in the world, but not of it, and therefore are hated by it and weary of it, that they shall not be in it always, that they shall not be in it long. Our days being evil, it is well they are few. The days of life and of grace do not last long; and sinners, when in misery, will be glad of the help they now despise. Men dispute about such sayings, but the event will explain them.