John 7:12

12 Within the large crowd there, many people were whispering to each other about Jesus. Some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "No, he fools the people."

John 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:12

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning
him
There was a general whisper, and a private controversy and contention among the people about him, upon inquiry being made after him:

for some said he is a good man;
a man of a good principle, of a good life and conversation; and who is good, kind, and beneficent, both to the bodies and souls of men; preaches good doctrine, and does many good things:

others said: nay,
or denied him to be a good man:

but he deceiveth the people;
drawing them off from the law of Moses, teaching them to break the sabbath, setting himself up for the Messiah, and asserting himself to be the son of God.

John 7:12 In-Context

10 But after Jesus' brothers had gone to the feast, Jesus went also. But he did not let people see him.

11 At the feast the Jews were looking for him and saying, "Where is that man?"

12 Within the large crowd there, many people were whispering to each other about Jesus. Some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "No, he fools the people."

13 But no one was brave enough to talk about Jesus openly, because they were afraid of the Jews.

14 When the feast was about half over, Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach.