Devine Scripture

John 7:12

What does John 7:12 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:12 means

The crowds murmur about Jesus, divided in their judgments. Some say He is good—a moral teacher, perhaps more. Others accuse Him of deceiving the multitude, suggesting cunning and spiritual danger. This range of opinions reflects confusion when people assess Jesus by partial information, pressure from authorities, or personal expectations. He compels a verdict, yet many hover at rumor-level talk. The murmuring hints at a crisis of decision: if He truly is who His works and words suggest, neutrality is not possible. But fear and uncertainty keep conversations hushed and conclusions tentative.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was much discussion about him among the mass of the people. Some said, He is a good man; but others said, No, he is giving people false ideas.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there was much murmuring about him among the multitudes, some indeed said--`He is good;' and others said, `No, but he leadeth astray the multitude;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was much murmuring among the multitude concerning him. For some said: He is a good man. And others said: No, but he seduceth the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there was much murmuring concerning him among the crowds. Some said, He is [a] good [man]; others said, No; but he deceives the crowd.

Context

Following the leaders’ search, public whispering fills the feast. This division frames the impact of Jesus’ later temple teaching: He will confront misunderstandings and unmask hypocrisy. The next verse notes fear of the Jews, explaining why opinions stay private. Soon, Jesus will dissolve the hush by teaching openly, prompting amazement at His learning and controversy about His authority (verses 14–16). The murmuring sets the backdrop for the clarity and challenge of His message.

v.11The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

v.12This passage

v.13Yet no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 7:16

    And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.

  • John 7:52

    They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

  • John 7:25

    Some therefore of them of Jerusalem said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

  • Luke 23:50

    And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man

  • Matthew 27:63

    saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

  • 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!

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