And they said to Him, “What kind of a [miraculous] sign will you perform so that we can see it and [then] believe [in] you? What [kind of] deed will you perform?
This ‘Christ, the king of Israel,’ let him now come down from the cross so we can see it and believe in him.” And the thieves who were being crucified with Him also spoke abusively to Him.
The Pharisees and Sadducees [i.e., these were strict sects of the Jewish religion], came out and began disputing with Jesus, asking for a [supernatural] sign from Him, [in an attempt] to test Him.
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father.”
So, when the people saw the [miraculous] sign that Jesus had performed [i.e., the feeding of the large crowd with such a small amount of food], they said, “Truly, this is the prophet who was to come into the world.” [Note: This was probably a reference to the promise made in Deut. 18:15-19].
God also testified, along with those people, by [giving them] both signs and wonders and various miracles, and by [supernatural] gifts distributed [to them] by the Holy Spirit, as He desired.