Matthew Poole and continuators on John 7:26

26 But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him : Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ ?

The first search being over, it is probable that the Rulers had not heard that Christ was come up to the Feast; this made the People think,

That they had some knowledge that he was the Messias; otherwise they would have taken some course to have restrained his so free and open Discoursing: But we shall in the latter part of this Chapter find that they were mistaken; for as soon as they heard where he was, and what he was doing, they used all means they could to Apprehend him.