John 7:20

KJV

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

The people {G3793} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036}, Thou hast {G2192} a devil {G1140}: who {G5101} goeth about {G2212} to kill {G615} thee {G4571}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“You have a demon!” the crowd answered. “Who’s out to kill you?”

Berean Standard Bible

“You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”

American Standard Version

The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 7:20, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the crowd responds with hostile disbelief to Jesus' assertion that the Jewish authorities are seeking to kill Him. They accuse Him of being demon-possessed, dismissing His statement as the raving of an insane man, and deny any knowledge of a plot against His life, thereby revealing their profound spiritual blindness and ignorance of the true machinations of the religious leaders.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' public ministry during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, as detailed in [John 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus directly challenges the Jewish leaders, stating, "Why do you seek to kill me?" ([John 7:19](/john/7-19 "John 7:19 - Jesus' Challenge to the Leaders")). The crowd's response in verse 20 is a direct reaction to this provocative question. Jesus has been teaching openly in the Temple courts, and His words have stirred significant debate and division among the people and the authorities. The tension is palpable, with some believing Him to be the Christ, others dismissing Him, and the leaders actively plotting His demise. The crowd's accusation of demonic possession is a common tactic used by Jesus' opponents throughout the Gospels to discredit His divine authority and miraculous works.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, drawing large numbers of Jews to Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire. This influx of people meant a diverse audience for Jesus' teachings, not all of whom were privy to the specific political and religious machinations of the Jerusalem elite. The accusation "Thou hast a devil" (or "demon") was a grave insult in Jewish society, implying either insanity or that one's power and teachings originated from evil spirits, rather than from God. Such a charge was intended to completely discredit an individual and remove any legitimacy from their claims or actions. The Jewish leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin, held significant religious and judicial power, and their desire to kill Jesus stemmed from their perception that He was a blasphemer and a threat to their authority and the established order, as seen in their earlier attempts to stone Him ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jewish Leaders Seek to Kill Jesus")).

* **Key Themes:** John 7:20 powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **misunderstanding and spiritual blindness**, as the crowd, despite witnessing Jesus' teachings and miracles, fails to grasp His true identity and the divine nature of His mission. Their inability to discern the truth leads them to a false accusation. Secondly, the verse underscores the **escalating opposition to Jesus**, revealing the deep-seated hostility from both the religious authorities (who are indeed plotting His death) and, in this instance, the general populace, who, though ignorant of the specific plot, are quick to slander Him. This opposition is a recurring motif, culminating in His crucifixion. Finally, it touches upon the theme of **truth vs. deception**, where Jesus speaks plainly about the plot against Him, while the crowd, whether through ignorance or malice, denies this truth and resorts to calumny, further illustrating the spiritual divide that Jesus' presence creates.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **The people (Greek, _óchlos'_):** This term refers to a throng, multitude, or rabble. In this context, it denotes the general crowd of pilgrims and residents gathered in the Temple courts, distinct from the specific religious authorities. Their collective response highlights the popular, though misguided, sentiment against Jesus.
* **a devil (Greek, _daimónion'_):** Derived from a word for a demonic being, this term refers to a demon or evil spirit. The accusation "Thou hast a devil" was not merely an insult but a grave charge implying that Jesus was either insane, possessed by an evil spirit, or acting under demonic influence, thereby invalidating His authority and teachings.
* **goeth about (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb means "to seek," "to desire," or "to plot against life." The crowd's use of this word in their question, "who goeth about to kill thee?", ironically echoes Jesus' own statement in [John 7:19](/john/7-19 "John 7:19 - Jesus' Accusation of the Plot"), revealing their incredulity and denial of the very truth He just uttered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The people answered and said,"**: This clause establishes the immediate context as a direct response from the general populace to Jesus' provocative statement in [John 7:19](/john/7-19 "John 7:19 - Jesus' Challenge"). It indicates a collective, vocal reaction from the assembled crowd, highlighting their engagement, albeit a hostile one, with Jesus' words.
* **"Thou hast a devil:"**: This is the crowd's immediate and severe accusation. It is a charge of demonic possession or influence, intended to discredit Jesus entirely by implying He is either mad or empowered by evil forces. This accusation reflects their profound inability or unwillingness to comprehend Jesus' divine claims and the spiritual reality He represents.
* **"who goeth about to kill thee?"**: This is a rhetorical question posed by the crowd, intended to express incredulity and deny the existence of any plot against Jesus' life. Ironically, while the general crowd might not have been aware of the specific machinations of the religious leaders, Jesus' statement was indeed true, highlighting the crowd's ignorance and the hidden nature of the plot.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:20 employs several significant literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the audience (readers) knows from earlier passages (e.g., [John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jewish Leaders Seek to Kill Jesus")) that the Jewish leaders are indeed seeking to kill Jesus, while the crowd in the narrative remains ignorant and denies this truth. This creates a tension between what the characters know and what the reader knows. The crowd's statement, "Thou hast a devil," functions as **Slander** and **Ad Hominem Attack**, directly assaulting Jesus' character and sanity rather than engaging with the substance of His claims. Finally, the question "who goeth about to kill thee?" serves as a **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking information but expressing disbelief and denial, ironically confirming the very truth it attempts to refute.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:20 vividly portrays the spiritual blindness and hostility that Jesus encountered throughout His ministry. The crowd's accusation of demonic possession reveals a profound inability to discern the divine origin of Jesus' authority and teachings. Instead of grappling with the challenging truth He presented—that powerful religious figures sought His life—they resorted to a severe and baseless calumny. This response underscores the human tendency to reject uncomfortable truths, especially when they challenge established norms or reveal hidden evils. It also highlights the reality that divine truth often provokes strong opposition and misunderstanding from those who are unwilling to accept it, whether due to ignorance, prejudice, or spiritual darkness.

* [Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Accusation of Beelzebub")
* [John 8:48](/john/8-48 "John 8:48 - Accusation of Demonic Possession")
* [Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:20 offers a sobering reflection on the human capacity for misunderstanding and the ease with which truth can be rejected when it contradicts preconceived notions or exposes uncomfortable realities. The crowd's swift accusation of demonic influence, rather than a thoughtful consideration of Jesus' words, serves as a powerful warning against superficial judgment and the dangers of spiritual blindness. For believers today, this verse encourages a deep self-examination: are we truly open to God's truth, even when it challenges our comfort zones or exposes the darkness around us? It reminds us that proclaiming biblical truth may, like Jesus, invite misunderstanding, slander, or even hostility. Yet, it also calls us to persevere, to speak truth in love, and to trust that God's truth will ultimately prevail, even in the face of intense opposition. We are called to cultivate discernment, to look beyond surface appearances, and to seek genuine understanding of God's Word and His will, rather than resorting to convenient dismissals or false accusations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I react when confronted with truths that challenge my worldview or expose uncomfortable realities?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to judging others superficially, rather than seeking deeper understanding?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to respond when I am misunderstood or falsely accused for speaking truth?**

### FAQ

**Why did the people accuse Jesus of having a devil?**

Answer: The accusation "Thou hast a devil" (or "demon") was a severe insult and a common tactic used by Jesus' opponents to discredit Him. It implied that Jesus was either insane, possessed by an evil spirit, or that His power and teachings originated from demonic forces rather than from God. This was a way for the crowd, perhaps genuinely ignorant of the plot against Jesus but swayed by popular opinion or the influence of the religious leaders, to dismiss His claims and explain away His challenging statements. They couldn't reconcile His words with their understanding, so they attributed them to madness or evil influence.

**Was the crowd truly unaware of the plot to kill Jesus?**

Answer: While the religious leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin, were actively plotting Jesus' death (as seen in [John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jewish Leaders Seek to Kill Jesus") and [John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea")), the general populace, especially pilgrims from outside Jerusalem, might not have been fully privy to these specific, clandestine machinations. Their denial in [John 7:20](/john/7-20 "John 7:20 - The Crowd's Accusation") likely reflects a genuine lack of awareness among many in the crowd, combined with a reluctance to believe such a serious accusation against a popular teacher, or perhaps even a defensive posture to avoid implicating themselves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 7:20, with its accusation of demonic possession and the denial of a plot to kill Jesus, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate trajectory of Jesus' life and mission. The crowd's slander foreshadows the greater rejection and suffering Jesus would endure, culminating in His crucifixion. He, who was truly without sin and the very Son of God, was repeatedly accused of being demon-possessed ([Matthew 9:34](/matthew/9-34 "Matthew 9:34 - Pharisees Accuse Jesus"), [Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Beelzebul Accusation"), [John 8:48](/john/8-48 "John 8:48 - Jesus Accused of Having a Demon")), yet He willingly endured such calumny as part of His redemptive work. The very plot the crowd denied was indeed real, orchestrated by the powers of darkness working through human agents, leading to His sacrificial death on the cross. This rejection and suffering, though seemingly a defeat, was God's chosen path for the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the false accusations and hidden plots against Jesus in [John 7:20](/john/7-20 "John 7:20 - The Crowd's Accusation") ultimately highlight His perfect obedience and the divine purpose behind His suffering, leading to His glorious resurrection and triumph over all the powers of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 10:20

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

John 8:48

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

Mark 3:21

And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Mark 3:22

¶ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

John 8:52

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Mark 3:30

Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Acts 26:24

¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.