{Were in expectation} (prosdok(936e)tos). Genitive absolute of
this striking verb already seen in  1:21 . {Reasoned}
(dialogizomen(936e)). Genitive absolute again. John's preaching
about the Messiah and the kingdom of God stirred the people
deeply and set them to wondering. {Whether haply he were the
Christ} (m(8870)ote autos ei(8820)ho Christos). Optative ei(885c) in
indirect question changed from the indicative in the direct
(Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1031). John wrought no miracles and was
not in David's line and yet he moved people so mightily that they
began to suspect that he himself (autos) was the Messiah. The
Sanhedrin will one day send a formal committee to ask him this
direct question ( Joh 1:19 ).