John 10:20 kjv
And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
John 10:20 nkjv
And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?"
John 10:20 niv
Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"
John 10:20 esv
Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?"
John 10:20 nlt
Some said, "He's demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?"
John 10 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 7:20 | The crowd answered, "You have a demon!"... | False accusation of demon possession |
| Jn 8:48-49 | The Jews answered Him, "Are we not right in saying that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon..." | Repeated accusation against Jesus |
| Mk 3:21-22 | When His family heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they were saying, "He is out of His mind." And the scribes said, "He has Beelzebul..." | Accusation of madness & demonic power |
| Mt 12:24 | But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." | Attributing Jesus's power to Satan |
| Lk 11:15 | But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons." | Blasphemous attribution |
| Acts 26:24 | And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you mad!" | Similar accusation against an apostle |
| Is 53:3 | He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. | Prophecy of Messiah's rejection |
| Ps 22:6 | But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. | Prophetic picture of utter contempt |
| Jer 20:7-8 | For I am a derision all the day; everyone mocks me... | Prophet's experience of being mocked |
| Zech 11:12-13 | So I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; if not, keep it." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. | Prophetic low valuation of the Shepherd |
| Acts 7:51-53 | "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!... Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?" | Rejection of God's messengers |
| Jn 8:43 | Why do you not understand what I say? Because you cannot hear my word. | Spiritual inability to comprehend |
| Jn 12:40 | He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts... | God's sovereign hardening/blindness |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him... | Inability of the unspiritual to understand |
| Mt 13:13-15 | This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see... | Intentional spiritual blindness |
| Rom 11:7-8 | What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking... God gave them a spirit of stupor... | Divine judgment of hardening hearts |
| Jn 7:43 | So there was a division among the people concerning him. | Jesus's teachings cause division |
| Jn 9:16 | Some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God..." But others said, "How can a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. | Division among religious leaders |
| Jn 10:19 | There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. | Immediate preceding verse showing division |
| Lk 12:51-53 | Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. | Jesus as a catalyst for division |
| Jn 10:30 | "I and the Father are one." | Core claim leading to intense conflict |
| Col 2:9 | For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily... | Christ's full divine nature (contrast) |
| Heb 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. | Christ's sinless perfection (contrast) |
| 1 Jn 4:1-3 | ...every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God... | Test of spirits, Jesus as coming in flesh |
| Jn 14:10-11 | Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?... | Jesus's unity with the Father and works |
| Jn 5:19-20 | So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord..." | Jesus acts in perfect unity with the Father |
| Is 29:14 | For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish... | Misunderstanding leading to intellectual blindness |
John 10 verses
John 10 20 Meaning
Many among the Jewish people, reacting to Jesus's teachings and claims, publicly declared that He was possessed by an evil spirit and, consequently, insane. This led them to question why anyone would heed His words, signaling a profound dismissal of His authority and message.
John 10 20 Context
John 10:20 immediately follows Jesus's powerful discourse on being the Good Shepherd, emphasizing His role in protecting, knowing, and laying down His life for His sheep. In the preceding verse (10:19), Jesus's words cause "a division among the Jews." This particular verse (10:20) captures one side of that division—the openly hostile and dismissive reaction. Historically, accusations of demon possession and madness were common rhetorical weapons used to discredit individuals challenging religious or political authority in the Hellenistic and Jewish world. For the original audience, hearing these charges against Jesus would have painted Him as not merely misguided, but as spiritually dangerous and utterly untrustworthy, placing Him beyond the pale of legitimate prophetic or divine claims. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic escalation in the narrative, leading to the Jews attempting to stone Jesus later in the same chapter (Jn 10:31).
John 10 20 Word analysis
- And many of them: Implies a significant portion of the Jewish people present, not everyone, indicating the ongoing division first noted in John 10:19.
- were saying: The Greek imperfect verb ἔλεγον (elegon) suggests a continuous or repeated declaration. It indicates an ongoing, persistent attitude rather than a single, isolated outburst.
- He has a demon: Greek δαιμόνιον ἔχει (daimonion echei). This was a severe accusation in Jewish society, implying the speaker was under the control of an evil spirit, working for malevolent forces. It completely undermined any claim to divine authority or goodness Jesus possessed. It was the antithesis of being from God.
- and is out of His mind: Greek μαίνεται (mainetai). Means "he is mad," "he is raving," or "he is insane." This charge suggests mental instability, irrationality, and a complete lack of control over His words and actions. It often accompanied accusations of demon possession, as mental illness and demonic influence were often linked in ancient thought.
- Why do you listen to Him?: This rhetorical question is designed to dissuade others. It expresses profound disbelief and scorn, attempting to publicly undermine Jesus's credibility and deter potential followers. It reflects a protective, albeit misguided, instinct to safeguard the community from perceived deception.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And many of them were saying": Shows widespread, active opposition. It highlights the growing conflict between Jesus and a significant portion of the Jewish leadership and populace. The imperfect tense emphasizes their sustained rejection.
- "He has a demon and is out of His mind": These two accusations together form a devastating spiritual and intellectual charge. Demon possession implies spiritual evil as the source of His power, while madness implies mental incapacity, rendering His teachings nonsensical. This twin attack attempts to completely delegitimize Jesus as both prophet and rational teacher.
- "Why do you listen to Him?": This interrogative serves as an imperative, a sharp command disguised as a question. It is an act of communal shaming and an effort to control perception, urging others to reject Jesus's message and company outright.
John 10 20 Bonus section
The intense reaction in John 10:20—attributing Jesus's actions and words to demonic influence and madness—foreshadows Jesus's later warnings against blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:29-30). This particular form of rejection, claiming that divine power (seen in Jesus's exorcisms and teachings) originates from evil, is portrayed as a profound spiritual transgression. It reflects an inversion of truth, calling light darkness and darkness light (Is 5:20), which demonstrates a severely hardened heart. This mindset, born from spiritual blindness, made it impossible for these individuals to perceive the true nature and source of Jesus's authority, paving the way for the ultimate rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah. The persistence of the accusations (indicated by "were saying") reveals a deliberate and continuous decision not to believe.
John 10 20 Commentary
John 10:20 captures the intense spiritual and intellectual battle surrounding Jesus. The accusations of demon possession and madness are not mere insults; they are profound rejections of Jesus's claims to divine authority and His very nature. Those who make these statements are attributing Jesus's teachings and miraculous works not to God, but to demonic forces and mental derangement, indicating a deep spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. Their rhetorical question, "Why do you listen to Him?" underscores their own unwavering opposition and their desire to alienate others from Jesus, attempting to create a unified front against Him. This verse vividly illustrates the polarizing effect of Christ's truth: some believe and follow the Good Shepherd, while others reject Him as possessed and insane. It serves as a reminder that spiritual truth can be obscured and denied by preconceived notions and hardened hearts, leading individuals to call good evil.
- Example for Practical Usage: When encountering dismissive or derisive attitudes towards Christian faith or truth, remember these accusations against Jesus. Just as Jesus faced misrepresentation, followers of Christ might face similar charges that attack their credibility or sanity for believing in things "foolish" to the world (1 Cor 1:18, 2:14).