John 7:12

12 Many people in the crowd were whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "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 When his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also. But he went secretly, not openly.

11 At the Feast the Jews were watching for him. They were asking, "Where is he?"

12 Many people in the crowd were whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No. He fools the people."

13 But no one would say anything about him openly. They were afraid of the Jews.

14 Jesus did nothing until halfway through the Feast. Then he went up to the temple courtyard and began to teach.