John 8:30 Commentary and Bible Study

Here is the pivotal verse for the rest of the chapter, ‘As he spake these words, many believed on him.’ Now, as we read this, we would like to think that many people, among the leaders of the Jews, the very vocal people on this day, actually saw the point and trusted in him and realised he was Messiah, repented of their sins and found him in a deep, and personal, and spiritual way. But, you know, the verses that follow show that that is not what happened. They believed in Him, but clearly in a very nominal and superficial way. They believed that Christ must be significant, that Christ must be from God, but they didn’t trust Him, they didn’t believe in Him, they didn’t yield their souls to Him, and so, very quickly, their belief was dissipated. But look at the response of Christ. He knows that their belief is, let us say, slight faith, superficial faith, merely a passing assent to the fact that he is unique, and he is special. Previously they had said, he must be Messiah – when Messiah comes, will he do any more miracles than this man? The miracles convinced many people but still, their belief was recognition only of Him, it wasn’t a commitment to him, it wasn’t repentance and trust in him – merely assent recognition.