Matthew Poole and continuators on John 7:27

27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is : but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is .

We know he is of Nazareth, and that Ioseph is his reputed Father.

They also knew whence the Messias was to come; That he was [illegible: 1 word] of the Family of David, of the Tribe of Iuda, of [illegible: 1 word] Town of Bethlehem. The Chief Priests and Scribes [illegible: 1 span] Herod to that purpose, without the least hesitation, Mat. 2.6. but they had no Revelation to guide them to know of what particular Family he should be; thus this Verse is easily reconciled to v. 42, Others think, that they speak of the second manifestation of Christ. They had a Tradition, which was bottomed on Holy Writ, That he was to come out of Bethlehem: But then they had another Tradition; That he should be taken away from thence, and hidden for some Years, and then again appear as a Person unknown whence he came. Which Opinion, say some, was bottomed on the Revelations of the Old Testament concerning a double Regeneration of Christ, Isa. 53.8. Who shall declare his Generation? Micah 5.2. The one of which is to be understood of his Eternal Generation, which none can declare. The other, as to the Generation of his Humane Nature. But the Iews not understanding that the Messiah was to be God-man, understood both of his Humane Nature; which made them fancy, that tho he was to be Born at Bethlehem, according to Micah 5.2. yet he was to be carried away for some Years some whither; so as when he came to appear to the World, none should know whence he came; but he should appear as a man dropped down from Heaven Now Christ having been offered in the Temple at his Mothers Purification, went back again with his Parents, Luke 2.39. came to Nazareth, and ordinarily went up to Hierusalem; there he was found Disputing with the Doctors, v. 46. And at last, we find him resting with his Parents at Nazareth, and being subject to them; after which we read no more of him, till he came to Iohn to be Baptized; so as the Iews had known and observed the whole course of Christs Life.

Marginal references: Mat. 13.55. Mark 6.3. Luke 4.22.