John 7:20
What does John 7:20 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:20 means
The multitude responds, “Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?” Many in the crowd are unaware of the leaders’ plot and interpret Jesus’ words as paranoia or madness, thus the slur. Their denial shows the gulf between the common people and the inner councils of the authorities. It also demonstrates how ignorance can become insult, dismissing truth with stigma. Jesus will not be diverted by their accusation; He will explain the origin of their anger—His healing on the Sabbath—and use it to expose their inconsistent application of the Law and their superficial judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The people said in answer, You have an evil spirit: who has any desire to put you to death?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The multitude answered and said, `Thou hast a demon, who doth seek to kill thee?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why seek you to kill me? The multitude answered and said: Thou hast a devil. Who seeketh to kill thee?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The crowd answered [and said], Thou hast a demon: who seeks to kill thee?
Context
This protest follows Jesus’ accusation about a murder plot. Because many do not know the leaders’ intentions, they react strongly. Jesus will clarify by pointing to a single work that triggered controversy (verse 21), then argue from the accepted practice of circumcising on the Sabbath to the propriety of making a man whole on the Sabbath (verses 22–23). He will conclude with an appeal to righteous judgment (verse 24).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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!
- 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.
- Mark 3:30
because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
- 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.
- John 10:20
And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?
- Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.
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