Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
Others {G243} said {G3004}, These {G5023} are {G2076} not {G3756} the words {G4487} of him that hath a devil {G1139}. Can {G3361}{G1410} a devil {G1140} open {G455} the eyes {G3788} of the blind {G5185}?
Others said, “These are not the deeds of a man who is demonized — how can a demon open blind people’s eyes?”
But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
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Exodus 4:11
And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? -
Psalms 94:9
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? -
Isaiah 35:5
¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. -
Isaiah 35:6
Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. -
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. -
Proverbs 20:12
¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. -
Psalms 146:8
The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
Context
John 10:21 follows a profound discourse by Jesus in Jerusalem, likely during the Feast of Dedication, where He declares Himself the Good Shepherd and asserts His unity with the Father. This claim causes a significant division among the Jewish people present (John 10:19). While some accused Him of being demon-possessed and mad (John 10:20), this verse presents the counter-argument from others who recognized the undeniable evidence of His miraculous works, particularly the healing of the man born blind, recounted in detail in John chapter 9.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "devil" here is daimonion (δαιμόνιον), which refers to a demon or evil spirit. The question posed by the "others" is rhetorical, implying a strong negative answer: demons do not perform acts of pure good, healing, and restoration. The act of "opening the eyes of the blind" (ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς τυφλῶν) was seen as a distinct sign of the Messiah, as prophesied in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 35:5).
Practical Application
This verse encourages believers to consider the evidence for Jesus's claims. His life, teachings, and especially His miracles, provide compelling reasons to believe in His divine origin and authority. In a world full of conflicting voices, we are called to discern truth by examining the fruit of actions and the nature of the power at work. Jesus's works consistently brought life, healing, and freedom, demonstrating that He truly came from God, not from any dark influence. It also reminds us that genuine spiritual power is always redemptive and life-giving, illuminating both physical and spiritual blindness.