John Chrysostom

"Then the Jews sought Him, and said, Where is He?" Excellent truly the good deeds at their feasts! they are eager for murder, and wish to seize Him, even during the feast. Through their excessive hatred and enmity they would not even call Him by name. Great was their reverence towards the feast, great their caution. By occasion of the very feast they wished to entrap Him!

Homily on the Gospel of John 49 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

The Jews seek Jesus, not that they may believe on Him when they have found Him (for surely would He preventing their search, have offered Himself, according as it is said of Him, I was found of them that sought Me not, I was made manifest unto them that asked not after Me) but of their exceeding transgression falling into the vain toil of the Greeks, and emulous of their habits rather than of those things whereby it was like that they should be enlightened by the grace from above. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Jews, out of intense hatred, did not mention His name. They did not say "where is Jesus?" but "where is He?" So much did they hate even His name alone. Note, if you will, their inclination toward murder. They do not respect the time of the feast, but wish to seize Him during it. For this reason they are seeking Him. Such was their reverence and respect for the feasts! Such was the righteousness of their deeds!

Commentary on John ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he mentions the opportunity Christ had to show the origin of his spiritual teaching. He mentions two such opportunities: one was due to the disagreement among the people; the other to their amazement (v 15). The people disagreed in what they thought of Christ. He does three things concerning this. First, he shows what they had in common; secondly, how they differed (v 12); and thirdly, whose opinion prevailed (v 13). What they had in common was that they looked for him at the feast, and they asked: Where is he? …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

The curiosity of the Jews in seeking Christ is noted, since he had gone up secretly; because previously he used to go up openly; therefore he says: "The Jews therefore sought him on the feast day," because he was accustomed to go up at that time, and they sought him out of hatred; whence he adds: "And they said: Where is that man?" They did not call him by his proper name, out of hatred or contempt; against which Wisdom chapter one: "Think of the Lord in goodness, and in simplicity of heart seek him." And from this silent inquiry …

Commentary on John, Chapter 7 ↗