<p>7:17 <i>And this report about him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region</i>- The <i>logos</i> &quot;went out&quot;- similar language as used in John's gospel. It hardly refers to any personal pre-existence of the Lord. It seems that it was the spreading of this &quot;report&quot; which reached some of John's disciples (:18). The report in view could be of the resurrection in Nain, or that of :16- the idea that the Lord was indeed the promised Messiah or &quot;prophet&quot;. </p>