What does John 7:44 mean?

Several instances in the Gospels record Jesus being targeted for arrest but escaping. Some of those events have a supernatural feel to them. For example, when Jesus is cornered on a tall, narrow, walkway but still manages to evade capture (John 10:23–24, 39). Others seem mundane. Here, Jesus is in the middle of a deeply divided, highly emotional crowd. Those looking to arrest Him might be enraged, but that does not make them stupid; angry commoners taking Jesus by force is liable to start an all-out riot (John 7:30).

The wording of this passage suggests that it is the crowd, not necessarily the authorities, who are intimidated by the crowd. Separately, there is a group of officials, sent by the Pharisees, who are on their way to arrest Jesus (John 7:32). These men will not follow through on that mission, but their reasoning has more to do with Jesus' words than the prospect of a riot (John 7:45–46).