The interest of the people in Christ and His work had steadily increased. They were charmed with His teaching, but they were also greatly perplexed. They had respected the priests and rabbis for their intelligence and apparent piety. In all religious matters they had ever yielded implicit obedience to their authority. Yet they now saw these men trying to cast discredit upon Jesus, a teacher whose virtue and knowledge shone forth the brighter from every assault. They looked upon the lowering countenances of the priests and elders, and there saw discomfiture and confusion. They marveled that the rulers would not believe on Jesus, when His teachings were so plain and simple. They themselves knew not what course to take. With eager anxiety they watched the movements of those whose counsel they had always followed.

Folkets interesse for Kristus og hans gerning var stadig blevet større. De var betagede af hans lære, men de følte sig også i høj grad rådvilde. De havde æret præsterne og de skriftkloge for deres klogskab og tilsyneladende fromhed. I alle religiøse anliggender havde de udvist en ubetinget lydighed over for deres myndighed. Men nu så de dog, at disse mænd ville prøve at svække tilliden til Jesus, en lærer, hvis godhed og visdom skinnede endnu klarere frem efter hvert nyt angreb. De betragtede præsternes og de ældstes bøjede hoveder, og i deres ansigtsudtryk læste de skuffelse og forvirring. Det undrede dem, at rådsherrerne ikke ville tro på Jesus, når hans lære var så klar og enkel. Selv vidste de ikke, til hvilken side de skulle gå. Med spændt opmærksomhed lagde de mærke til de menneskers optræden, hvis råd de altid havde været vant til at rette sig efter.