John 7:12

12 And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd."

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 his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.

11 The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, "Where is he?"

12 And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd."

13 Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

14 About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.