John 10:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Many of them said, “He has a demon!” and “He’s meshugga! Why do you listen to him?”

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} many^{G4183} of^{G1537} them^{G846} said^{G3004}, He hath^{G2192} a devil^{G1140}, and^{G2532} is mad^{G3105}; why^{G5101} hear ye^{G191} him^{G846}?

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Commentary for John 10:20

John 10:20 is a verse that captures a moment of division and skepticism among the Jews regarding Jesus' identity and teachings. The verse is part of the larger narrative in the Gospel of John, specifically within the discourse where Jesus uses the metaphor of the Good Shepherd to describe His relationship with His followers. In this metaphor, Jesus presents Himself as the true shepherd who cares for His sheep, contrasting Himself with false shepherds who are likened to thieves and robbers.

In the historical context of the time, Jewish society was anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, yet there was much debate about who the Messiah would be and what His mission entailed. The verse reflects the deep division among the people. Some recognized Jesus as a prophet or even the Messiah, while others, as expressed in John 10:20, dismissed Him as being demon-possessed and mad. The charge of being demon-possessed was a serious accusation, suggesting that Jesus' words and actions were not of divine origin but rather the result of mental instability or demonic influence.

This skepticism and hostility toward Jesus' message underscore the themes of belief and unbelief that are central to the Gospel of John. The verse highlights the tension between faith and doubt, and the varied responses to Jesus' ministry. It also foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders, which will lead to His crucifixion. The verse invites readers to consider their own response to Jesus' teachings and to recognize the implications of accepting or rejecting His claim to be the Good Shepherd and the way, the truth, and the life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G4183
   There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πολύς
   Transliteration: polýs
   Pronunciation: pol-oos'
   Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1140
   There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δαιμόνιον
   Transliteration: daimónion
   Pronunciation: dahee-mon'-ee-on
   Description: neuter of a derivative of δαίμων; a dæmonic being; by extension a deity:--devil, god.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3105
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μαίνομαι
   Transliteration: maínomai
   Pronunciation: mah'-ee-nom-ahee
   Description: middle voice from a primary (to long for; through the idea of insensate craving); to rave as a "maniac":--be beside self (mad).
   
10. Strong's Number: G5101
    There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τίς
    Transliteration: tís
    Pronunciation: tis
    Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
    
11. Strong's Number: G191
    There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκούω
    Transliteration: akoúō
    Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.