7:39
This verse then clarifies the point that John was making. Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. So we see the repeated trinitarian view expressed in John. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are always working together. If we believe in Jesus then we will receive the Spirit, He is not an optional extra. In fact in one sense He is the whole point of it. In Galatians 3 Paul makes great play of the Galatians receiving the Spirit. The disciples had not yet received the Spirit because Jesus had not yet been glorified. Ie Jesus had not yet gone to the cross.
7:40-44
Again John highlights the diversity of views among the people. Some thought he was the prophet. This is a reference back to Deuteronomy 18:15 where Moses says that God would raise up a prophet like Moses. Incidentally, Muslims claim that this verse predicts the coming of Mohammed (it doesn’t!). Others said he is the Christ. So it seems that there was confusion in their minds over whether the Prophet and the Messiah are the same or different. Then some got all theological about it saying that the Messiah could not come from Galilee. Micah 5:2 says the Messiah will come from Bethlehem, which of course is where Jesus was born. This is an illustration of how our arguments can be wrong. The logic of their argument was fine, but a presupposition was totally wrong.
So the people were divided, some supporting Jesus, or at least wondering favourably about Him, others wanting to arrest Him. As it was, no one laid hands on Him, for His time had not yet come. It is normal for the world to be confused and divided over who Jesus is. There are often surveys on what the public think about religious matters, eg do people believe in God? Now for giving insight into what people are thinking these surveys can be useful, but they are completely worthless in ascertaining what the truth is. God’s existence does not depend upon an opinion poll!
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