John 7:12

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him. For some said, "He is a good man," and others said, "Nay, for he deceiveth 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 when His brethren had gone up, then He also went up unto the feast, not openly but, as it were, in secret.

11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast and said, "Where is he?"

12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him. For some said, "He is a good man," and others said, "Nay, for he deceiveth the people."

13 Yet no man spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.