John 7:26

boldly Or, with frankness, or openness; the same word as in John 7:4, where (as in John 16:29) it has a preposition; here and John 7:13 it is the simple dative.

Do the rulers know The word here translated -know" is not the one translated -know" in John 7:28. The latter is the most general word for -know:" this means rather to -acquire knowledge." Have the rulers come to know(or recognised)? See on John 1:10. In the next verse we have both words. Comp. John 8:55.

that this is the very Christ -Very" is wanting in authority: that this man is the Christ is the right reading. This suggestion, however, is only a momentary thought. They at once raise a difficulty which for them demolishes the suggestion.