John 10:20

John 10:20, in plain English

Many people say, 'He's possessed by a demon! He's out of His mind! Why would anyone listen to Him?'

Why it's here

When people can't deal with the truth of what Jesus says, they attack Him personally. It's easier to call Him crazy than to deal with His claims.

Who's speaking

The hostile portion of the crowd loudly rejects Jesus by accusing Him of being demon-possessed.

Where it sits in the story

It's a harsh response, but you see it throughout history: when someone speaks truth that threatens the status quo, the first move is to call them crazy.

The scholarly reading

The hostile faction attributes Jesus' teaching to demon possession and madness (daimonion echei kai mainetai), dismissing His words as the ravings of one under demonic influence.

Language and setting

The accusation of demon possession recurs throughout John (7:20, 8:48, 8:52) and represents the most extreme form of rejection: attributing divine revelation to demonic origin.

Voice

Many in the crowd publicly denounce Jesus as demon-possessed and insane.

Significance

Those who reject Jesus' shepherd claims resort to the most severe available accusation: His profound teaching about sacrificial love is dismissed as demonic insanity.

18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

19Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message.

20Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

21But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

22At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

Read all of John 10 — Jesus describes a shepherd who knows every sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The hired hand runs; the good shepherd stays.