John 7:20

20 And the people answered, and said, Thou hast a devil; who seeketh to slay 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 speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, is soothfast, and unrightwiseness is not in him.

19 Whether Moses gave not to you a law, and none of you doeth the law [and no man of you keepeth the law]? What seek ye to slay me?

20 And the people answered, and said, Thou hast a devil; who seeketh to slay thee?

21 Jesus answered, and said to them, I have done one work, and all ye wonder.

22 Therefore Moses gave to you circumcision; not for it is of Moses, but of the fathers; and in the sabbath ye circumcise a man.