John 7 12

John 7:12 kjv

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

John 7:12 nkjv

And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people."

John 7:12 niv

Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people."

John 7:12 esv

And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, "He is a good man," others said, "No, he is leading the people astray."

John 7:12 nlt

There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people."

John 7 verses

John 7 12 Meaning

John 7:12 reveals the significant division of opinion among the general populace concerning Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Despite His public ministry and miracles, there was widespread and private discussion, characterized as "murmuring." Some people acknowledged Him positively, saying, "He is a good man," recognizing His moral character and teachings. However, a contrasting and equally strong viewpoint held that He was not good, but rather a deceptive figure who misled the people. This verse succinctly captures the polarized and conflicted perceptions of Jesus by the very people He sought to minister to, highlighting the spiritual crossroads at which many stood.

John 7 12 Context

John chapter 7 takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in Jerusalem, a major pilgrimage festival for Jews, bringing a large populace together. Jesus, aware of plots against His life, initially sends His brothers ahead and travels to the feast "not openly, but as it were in secret" (Jn 7:10). This creates a buzz and expectation around His presence. As the feast progresses, discussions about Him become prominent among the crowds in the temple courts. This verse specifically describes the private and anxious debate occurring among the ordinary Jewish people. The historical context includes the omnipresent Roman authority, which led Jewish leaders to be wary of any figure who might incite political unrest or claims of kingship, thus protecting their own precarious position. Moreover, the Messianic expectations among the people were high but varied, and their understanding of prophecy often differed greatly from Jesus' self-revelation. The Jewish religious establishment (Pharisees and chief priests) were deeply hostile to Jesus, perceiving Him as a threat to their authority and tradition, going so far as to issue commands that anyone recognizing Him as the Messiah should be expelled from the synagogue. This fear permeated society, forcing many discussions about Jesus to be held in hushed tones, away from the ears of informers.

John 7 12 Word analysis

• And there was much murmuring (καὶ γογγυσμὸς πολὺς - kai gongysmos polys):

  • γογγυσμὸς (gongysmos): A transliteration of the Greek word, meaning "murmuring," "grumbling," "private complaining," or "whispering." It implies discontent, resentment, or a low, muttering sound rather than open, formal debate.
    • Significance: This is a key term, often used in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) to describe the Israelites' grumbling against Moses and God in the wilderness (e.g., Ex 16; Num 14). Its use here for discussions about Jesus hints at a rebellious or discontented attitude towards the one God has sent. It suggests a lack of courage for open confession, often driven by fear of consequences, as stated in Jn 7:13.
  • πολὺς (polys): "Much," "many," "great."
    • Significance: Emphasizes the widespread nature and intensity of the private discussions. The division was not confined to a few, but permeated the general public.

• among the people (ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ - en tō ochlō):

  • ὄχλος (ochlos): The "crowd," the "multitude," the general populace, distinct from the religious leaders (who appear later in the chapter).
    • Significance: Indicates the opinion of the common Jew at the festival, not the educated elite or the specific disciples. This large, diverse group holds varied expectations and understandings of a prophet or Messiah.

• concerning him (περὶ αὐτοῦ - peri autou):

  • αὐτοῦ (autou): "Him," referring directly to Jesus.
    • Significance: The central focus of all this discussion and murmuring is Jesus Himself and His identity/claims.

• for some said (οἱ μὲν ἔλεγον - hoi men elegon):

  • οἱ μὲν (hoi men): "Some indeed," setting up a contrasting opinion to follow.
    • Significance: Marks the introduction of the first of two opposing viewpoints, highlighting the dichotomy.

• He is a good man (Ὅτι ἀγαθός ἐστιν - Hoti agathos estin):

  • ἀγαθός (agathos): "Good," "morally upright," "beneficial."
    • Significance: This view acknowledges Jesus' positive attributes – perhaps His teaching, miracles, or righteous character. It is a commendation, but often a limited one. It implies appreciation for His ethics or teachings, without necessarily affirming His divine Sonship or Messiahship, or perhaps intentionally limiting His identity to avoid conflict. As Jesus stated in Mk 10:18 and Lk 18:19, ultimately only God is truly "good" in an absolute sense.

• others said (ἄλλοι δὲ ἔλεγον - alloi de elegon):

  • ἄλλοι δὲ (alloi de): "But others," indicating a direct contradiction or alternative.
    • Significance: Introduces the sharply contrasting second opinion, solidifying the idea of division.

• Nay (Οὔ - Ou):

  • Οὔ (Ou): A strong particle of negation, meaning "no," "by no means," "absolutely not."
    • Significance: This expresses absolute rejection of the preceding positive claim, emphasizing the sharp and uncompromising nature of their opposing view. It leaves no room for nuance in their refutation.

• but he deceiveth the people (ἀλλὰ πλανᾷ τὸν ὄχλον - alla planai ton ochlon):

  • ἀλλὰ (alla): "But," marking a strong contrast.
  • πλανᾷ (planai): "To lead astray," "to mislead," "to deceive," "to wander." It implies a malicious or dangerous intent to cause error.
    • Significance: This is a severe accusation, potentially calling for capital punishment under Mosaic Law for a false prophet (Dt 13:5). It positions Jesus as a charlatan, a danger to the spiritual integrity of the nation, deliberately leading the "ochlos" (the people/crowd) away from truth or sound doctrine. This accusation implies a challenge to established religious authority and often served as a justification for opposing and ultimately persecuting Jesus.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "much murmuring among the people concerning him": This phrase captures the climate of public opinion: a significant, unspoken (or quietly spoken) debate, characterized by underlying unease and division. It suggests the danger of speaking openly due to fear of Jewish leaders (Jn 7:13), pushing the discussion into quieter, less confrontational spaces.
• "He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people": This powerfully highlights the polarity of perception. Jesus was either morally exemplary and trustworthy or a dangerous and misleading fraud. There was no middle ground in this debate for many. This binary view showcases the ultimate spiritual choice presented by Jesus's ministry: acceptance or rejection of His claims, which were rooted in either good truth or malicious falsehood. The term "deceives" attacks His character, His message, and His mission, undermining any legitimacy He might have had in the eyes of those who opposed Him.

John 7 12 Bonus section

The Feast of Tabernacles was a joyful celebration commemorating God's provision in the wilderness. However, for many present, the focus was ironically turned to the controversies surrounding Jesus, creating a stark contrast between the festive atmosphere and the spiritual tension. The "murmuring" (γογγυσμός - gongysmos) carries a negative connotation in the Old Testament, where it describes the grumbling of the Israelites against God (e.g., in the wilderness journeys). This linguistic connection subtly likens the people's dissent concerning Jesus to Israel's historical rebellion against divine authority, indicating a failure to recognize God's latest visitation among them. Furthermore, the accusation of Jesus being a "deceiver" (πλανᾷ - planai) carried severe implications. Under Mosaic Law, a false prophet who led people astray could face capital punishment (Deut 13). By labeling Jesus a "deceiver," His opponents were effectively (and illegally, as they had no power for executions) calling for His death, a desire that culminates later in the Gospel narrative. This public division foreshadows the global impact of the Gospel, where individuals would continue to be divided over the person and claims of Jesus Christ.

John 7 12 Commentary

John 7:12 vividly illustrates the profound schism that Jesus' presence and ministry generated within Jewish society during a major feast. The "much murmuring" underscores that despite His public acts and teachings, genuine understanding and acceptance of His true identity as the Messiah were far from universal. This private debate suggests an environment where open confession of Jesus was risky due to the strong opposition from the religious authorities.

The two contrasting opinions—"He is a good man" versus "He deceiveth the people"—represent the two poles of human response to Christ. The "good man" assessment, while seemingly positive, often fell short of acknowledging His divine nature or Messiahship. It might have been an attempt to commend His moral teaching or benevolent acts without confronting the deeper, challenging implications of His claims. Conversely, the accusation of being a "deceiver" was the most severe possible, categorizing Him as a dangerous false prophet who preyed on the credulity of the crowd. This accusation implies deliberate falsehood and a corrupting influence, aiming to delegitimize His entire ministry.

This verse reveals not only the initial bewilderment and varying interpretations of Jesus but also the hardened hearts and spiritual blindness of those who rejected Him. It sets the stage for the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and hints at the underlying fear and political calculations that influenced public perception. This dynamic perfectly exemplifies Jesus' own words that He came not to bring peace, but a sword, dividing individuals even within families based on their response to Him. The spiritual battle for the allegiance of hearts and minds is acutely portrayed through these whispers and divisions among the common people.