But some
The picture is clearer now. “Many” put their faith in Jesus, “some” go and report what they’ve seen to the religious authorities. Notice this doesn’t account for everyone. There is a chunk of people who always sit on the fence, never moved enough to act one way or the other. But some were moved to act as spies for the authorities. What could motivate them to do this? Did they think it was a hoax or did they attribute Jesus’s power to the devil? (Another theme that runs through the gospels). Either way some people miss what Jesus is doing and some are unmoved by what Jesus is doing. I’m inclined to be more concerned with those who are unmoved - if a potential resurrection from the dead doesn’t produce something in you, what else could? (This is another theme we could explore even today, but was also something that Jesus brought up in his parable about another Lazarus and a rich man - Luke 16:19-31)
The ones who go to the authorities may have genuine concerns. They are going to the people who’ve taught them the Bible and instructed them in the ways of God. It may seem self evident to us that Jesus was empowered by God, but he has a lot of religion to break through to reach these people. Generations of teaching and tradition are in the way. It may be that these people who go back to their religion and ask it to give them the answer to what they just saw will not get any answers or get answers that don’t work. One way or another no one can come to Jesus and put their faith in him without having their religion dismantled. Taking Jesus to your religion is not a bad place to start the process of seeing who he is and who you are.
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