During this time the people were slowly drifting back. They had partially recovered from the panic that had seized them, but their faces expressed an irresolution and timidity that could not be concealed. They looked with amazement upon the works of Jesus, beholding more wonderful cures than had ever been accomplished before. The Jews knew that the act of Jesus in purging the temple of its sacrilegious speculators, was not the exhibition of human power. The divine authority that inspired Jesus, and lifted him above humanity, was felt and realized by them, and should have been sufficient to bring them as worshipers at his feet. But they were determined to disbelieve him. They feared that this humble Galilean would take from them their power over the people, by his greater works and super-human authority. Their haughty spirits had looked for a king who would come with great pomp and heraldry, subduing the nations of the earth, and raising them to a much loftier station than they now occupied. This Man, who came teaching humility and love, aroused their hatred and scorn. {2SP 120.2}

Imidlertid kom folkeskaren langsomt tilbage igen. De havde tildels overvundet den forfærdelse, som havde grebet dem; men de kunne ikke skjule den frygt og ubestemthed, som viste sig i deres ansigter. De betragtede med forbavselse Jesu gerninger, thi de havde aldrig før set så mange mennesker helbredt på en så underfuld måde. Præsterne vidste, at Jesu gerning, idet han rensede templet fra den vanhellige handel, ikke var en åbenbarelse af menneskelig magt. De følte alle den guddommelige kraft, som fyldte Jesus og løftede ham op over det menneskelige, og dette burde havde været nok til at overbevise dem, så at de kunne komme og tilbede for hans fødder. Men de havde fast besluttet ikke at tro på ham. De frygtede for, at de ydmyge galilæer ville tage deres magt over folket fra dem ved deres store (121) gerninger og deres overmenneskelige myndighed. Deres stolte ånd havde forventet en konge, som ville komme med stor pomp og pragt fra at undertvinge jordens nationer og ophøje dem til at indtage en meget højere stilling end den, de nu indtog. Denne mand, der kom for at lære dem ydmyghed og kærlighed, opvakte deres had og foragt.