As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
This denotes the widespread, sensational success of John's preaching, and the wonderment on the part of many if, perhaps, this was indeed the Messiah.  Such impressions reached Jerusalem, as we read in John; and the Pharisees sent a delegation to ascertain the facts.  However, John denied that he was the Christ (John 1:18-28).