{Saw the sign which he did} (idontes ha epoi(8873)en s(886d)eia).
"Signs" oldest MSS. have. This sign added to those already
wrought (verse  2 ). Cf.  2:23  3:2 . {They said} (elegon).
Inchoative imperfect, began to say. {Of a truth} (al(8874)h(9373)).
Common adverb (from al(8874)h(8873)) in John ( 7:40 ). {The prophet
that cometh} (ho proph(8874)(8873) ho erchomenos). There was a popular
expectation about the prophet of  De 18:15  as being the Messiah
( Joh 1:21  11:27 ). The phrase is peculiar to John, but the idea
is in Acts ( 3:22  7:37 ). The people are on the tiptoe of
expectation and believe that Jesus is the political Messiah of
Pharisaic hope.