Judea
(7) Received at Jerusalem
John 2:23-25
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, on the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. (John 2:23)
No one ever challenged the miracles. Thousands were healed of disease and demon-possession. The Holy Spirit has chosen to give us only a glimpse of all the things that Jesus did. The people saw the miracles and the religious leaders and the Pharisees were also witnesses to them. It was no different here; during the feast, Jesus healed many, and people believed in Him because of the miracles. But this was not saving faith, they merely nodded assent at the miracles He did. Now notice what happens next.
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of him: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:24-25)
He did not believe in them, even though they believed in Him, because He could see into their hearts and he knew that they did not have saving faith. This always is a danger for those who say they believe in Jesus. What do you mean when you say that you believe in Jesus? Do you mean that you believe in the facts of the Gospel? The important thing is, do you trust Him as your Savior? Did He die for your sins? Was He raised for your justification? Is He your only hope of heaven?
This crowd was interested, and when they saw the miracles, they believed. But He knew that their belief was not genuine, because He knew all men. He knew what was in their hearts. Therefore, He did not commit Himself to the crowd that was there. Later, when Nichodemus came to Him, He would commit Himself to him, because he had a genuine saving faith.