John 7:20

20 The crowd answered [and said], Thou hast a demon: who seeks to kill thee?

John 7:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:20

The people answered and said
These seem to be the country people, who came from Galilee and other parts, who knew nothing of the designs of the Jerusalem Jews upon him; nor were they his downright enemies at least, but rather seemed to favour him, and were on his side, though greatly provoked to hear him talk after this manner:

thou hast a devil;
or art possessed with one; thou talkest like one of the demoniacs, like a madman, one beside thyself; whom the devil has so much power over, and has so deprived of thy senses, that thou knowest not what thou sayest:

who goeth about to kill thee?
no man; for they could not believe that any man, or body of men, would be so wicked, as to attempt to take away the life of so harmless a person, and who did so much good both to the bodies and souls of men.

John 7:20 In-Context

18 He that speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that has sent him, he is true, and unrighteousness is not in him.
19 Has not Moses given you the law, and no one of you practises the law? Why do ye seek to kill me?
20 The crowd answered [and said], Thou hast a demon: who seeks to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said to them, I have done one work, and ye all wonder.
22 Therefore Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and ye circumcise a man on sabbath.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.