Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:31

"But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?" — John 7:31 (ASV)

The response of many was belief, though it was hesitant. They did not affirm his messiahship but cautiously suggested that the Messiah would perform no more miracles than Jesus did. Consequently they tended to believe that he might be the promised leader they anticipated.