Charles Ellicott Commentary John 10:41

"And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true." — John 10:41 (ASV)

And many resorted unto him.—It is one of the keynotes of this Gospel, struck in its opening words (see Note on John 1:5) and recurring at frequent intervals, that even in the midst of the deepest darkness, the light is never absent. In contrast with the rejection at Jerusalem, there is the reception on the old ground, which brings memories of early days and bright hopes, which are now being fulfilled. The mission of the Seventy, and Christ’s own work in Galilee before the Feast of the Dedication (compare Note on John 10:22), accounts for the number who now come to Him.

And said, John did no miracle: but all things . . .—Better, as before, John did no sign . . . This was not said to Him, but was a general remark suggested by the associations of the spot. The remark assigns to John the position as a witness which he claimed for himself, and which the Evangelist has made prominent in the narrative of His work.

He did no sign, and therefore fell short of the glory of Him whose signs they had seen and heard of; but more than any other he had recognized that glory and directed men to it. His spiritual intuition, in advance of his generation, was itself a sign. Moreover, everything he had said about the Messiah had been proved true by the events that had taken place since they had last seen Him in that place. The witness of the past is linked to that of the present. The enthusiasm which John had kindled still burns.