“ for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
“ And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?”
John 7:46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”
Luke 4:22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.
John 9:27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples? And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
There are always going to be those who do not believe even though the deaf hear and the blind see. Each choose their path from the same observation(s). One heart is hard and their mind is closed to things of God. The other heart and mind is open with a desire to know God and humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. Each of these lives start with a belief that Jesus does or Jesus does not exist and that He alone is the redeemer of the lost. Culture, pride, and fear all play a part in denying Jesus. It takes faith, trust, and commitment to surrender all to Him. Choosing to follow, honor, obey and serve Him is a way of life for each day. Our life has purpose and meaning. The fulfillment of this continues each day as we walk with Him.