Devine Scripture

John 10:20

What does John 10:20 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:20 means

Some dismiss Jesus with harsh judgment: He has a demon and is insane. When confronted with claims of divine authority, they explain them away as madness, thereby avoiding the claims’ moral weight. To brand Him demonic is to invert reality, calling light darkness. Their rhetorical question—why listen to Him?—seeks to silence His influence. This reaction reveals hardened hearts rather than careful evaluation. It also prepares the counterpoint: others will appeal to undeniable works of mercy that cannot be squared with demonic inspiration. The division exposes that the same words and deeds can harden or soften, depending on the hearer’s disposition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a number of them said, He has an evil spirit and is out of his mind; why do you give ear to him?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and many of them said, `He hath a demon, and is mad, why do ye hear him?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And many of them said: He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear you him?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but many of them said, He has a demon and raves; why do ye hear him?

Context

Verse 20 records the hostile half of the division described in verse 19, labeling Jesus as demon-possessed and mad. Verse 21 will answer by pointing to His miracle of opening the eyes of the blind, which occurred in the previous chapter. This debate sets the atmosphere of controversy that carries into the temple scene at the Feast of Dedication (verses 22–23), where a more direct challenge to His identity is issued.

v.19There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.

v.20This passage

v.21Others said, These are not the sayings of one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 8:52

    The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.

  • Matthew 10:25

    It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!

  • Acts 18:14

    But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

  • John 9:28

    And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses.

  • Acts 26:24

    And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.

  • Matthew 9:34

    But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.

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