Devine Scripture

John 10:21

What does John 10:21 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:21 means

Others respond more soberly: Jesus’ words do not sound like the ravings of a demonized man, and no demon opens blind eyes. They recall the recent sign of John 9, interpreting it as evidence of divine approval. This is a reasoned appeal to observable reality: works of mercy align with God’s character. The argument does not yet amount to full faith, but it resists slander by weighing deeds and words together. Signs are meant to lead to belief. Here they at least restrain rash condemnation and keep the question of Jesus’ identity open for honest consideration.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Others said, These are not the words of one who has an evil spirit. Is it possible for an evil spirit to make blind people see?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

others said, `These sayings are not those of a demoniac; is a demon able blind men's eyes to open?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Others said: These are not the words of one that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Others said, These sayings are not [those] of one that is possessed by a demon. Can a demon open blind people's eyes?

Context

Verse 21 provides the more favorable response to Jesus, using the healing of the blind man as evidence against the charge of demonic influence. With the division established (verses 19–21), the narrative moves to a new setting, the Feast of Dedication in winter (verse 22), where Jesus is walking in Solomon’s porch (verse 23). There, a direct confrontation ensues as leaders demand a plain declaration of His Messiahship (verse 24), prompting Jesus to appeal to His works and to the identity of His sheep.

v.20And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?

v.21This passage

v.22And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem:

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 146:8

    Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous;

  • Exodus 8:19

    Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.

  • John 9:6

    When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,

  • Matthew 4:24

    And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.

  • Matthew 11:5

    the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.

  • Isaiah 35:5

    Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

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