They were not filled with the bitter prejudice and hatred of the priests and rulers; but Satan was ready to suggest doubts and questions in their minds as to the divinity of this man of humble origin. Many had received the impression that Messiah would have no natural relationship to humanity, and it was not pleasant for them to think of him, whom they had hoped would be a mighty King of Israel, as one who sprung from poverty and obscurity. Therefore they said among themselves, “Howbeit we know this man whence he is; but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.” The minds of these men were closed to the prophecies, which pointed how and when Christ was to come. {2SP 342.1}

De var ikke fyldte med bitter fordom og had således som præsterne og de øverste. Men Satan var rede til at indgyde tvivl i hjerte og at fremføre spørgsmål i deres tanker, om denne mand var Guds Søn, eftersom han var af så ringe herkomst. Mange havde fået det indtryk, at Messias ikke skulle stå i noget naturligt slægtskab med mennesker, og det var ubehageligt, for dem at tænke på, at en, som var opvokset fattig og ubemærket, skulle blive Israels mægtige konge, som de havde forventet. Derfor sagde de til hinanden: "Dog - om ham ved vi, hvorfra han er; men når Kristus kommer, ved ingen, hvorfra han er." Disse menneskers hjerte var tillukket for de profetier, som viste hvorledes og hvornår Kristus skulle komme.