Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:40

"[Some] of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet." — John 7:40 (ASV)

“The Prophet” (GK 4737) is presumably an allusion to the prediction of Moses that after him another prophet would appear who would command the attention of the people and who would bring them a further revelation from God . Moses explained that the prophet would not be accompanied by the frightening manifestations of Sinai, the great voice and the fire. He would rather be a fellow countryman, familiar to them, and one on their own level. Some regarded Jesus as this Prophet, hoping at the same time that he would lead them in a new Exodus and overcome their enemies; others suggested that he might be the Messiah.