From Jerusalem the report of Christ's miracles had spread wherever the Jews were dispersed; and although for many months He had been absent from the feasts, the interest in Him had not abated. Many from all parts of the world had come up to the Feast of Tabernacles in the hope of seeing Him. At the beginning of the feast many inquiries were made for Him. The Pharisees and rulers looked for Him to come, hoping for an opportunity to condemn Him. They anxiously inquired, "Where is He?" but no one knew. The thought of Him was uppermost in all minds. Through fear of the priests and rulers, none dared acknowledge 452 Him as the Messiah, but everywhere there was quiet yet earnest discussion concerning Him. Many defended Him as one sent from God, while others denounced Him as a deceiver of the people.

Fra Jerusalem havde rygtet om Kristi mirakler spredt sig alle vegne, hvor der boede jøder; og skønt han i mange måneder ikke havde været til stede ved højtiderne, var interessen for ham ikke blevet ringere. Fra alle verdens kanter var mange kommet op til løvhyttefesten i håb om at få ham at se. Ved festens begyndelse var der mange, som spurgte efter ham. Farisæerne og rådsherrerne holdt udkig efter ham i håb om at finde en anledning til at få ham dømt. De spurgte ivrigt: "Hvor er han?" men ingen vidste det. Tanken om ham var det fremherskende i alles sind. På grund af frygt for præsterne og rådsherrerne var der ingen, som vovede at anerkende ham som Messias, men alle vegne blev han drøftet stille og alvorligt. Mange forsvarede ham som et menneske, der var sendt af Gud, medens andre beskyldte ham for at vildlede folket.