Jesus did not attempt to answer the questions raised regarding his birth any more than he had answered those concerning his crossing the sea. He did not desire to magnify himself, nor the miracles that marked his life. The prejudice of the Pharisees lay deeper than their questions would indicate, and had taken root in the bitter perversity of their sinful hearts. His sayings and doings had not created such feelings, but only called them into action, because his pure and elevated doctrine was not in harmony with their selfish hearts. Said he, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.” There were conflicting views and much uncertainty in regard to the resurrection of the dead. Aside from the dissension between the Sadducees and Pharisees, the Jews were in great darkness concerning the future life and the resurrection of the body. Jesus pitied them in their benighted condition, and bade them accept him, who was their only hope, the great Life-giver, even the “bread of life.” {2SP 280.2}

Jesus besvarede ikke de hentydninger, som de havde gjort til hans fødsel, mere end han besvarede de spørgsmål, som de fremkom med angående, hvorledes han var kommet over søen. Han ønskede ikke at ophøje sig selv eller omtale de mirakler, han udførte. Farisæernes fordom var større, end deres spørgsmål antydede; den havde sået dybe rødder i deres syndefulde og forvente hjerte. Det, Jesus havde sagt og gjort, havde ikke frembragt disse følelser, men blot åbenbaret dem; thi hans rene og ophøjede lære var ikke i harmoni med (281) deres egenkærlige hjerte. Han siger: "Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg eder: den, som tror, har evigt liv. Jeg er livets brød." (Joh 6,47,48) Der var modstridende anskuelser og megen uvished med hensyn til de dødes opstandelse. Foruden den splid, der var mellem farisæerne og saddukæerne, var Jøderne i stort mørke angående det fremtidige liv og legemets opstandelse. Jesus beklagede dem i deres formørkede tilstand og bød dem at tage imod ham, som var deres eneste håb, den Store Livgiver, som er "livets brød".