What does John 7:20 mean?

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The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? John 7:20

Explanation

John 7:20 records a response from the crowd to Jesus after He taught them in the temple and made various claims about His identity and mission. In this verse, the people are reacting with incredulity to Jesus’ suggestion that someone is seeking to kill Him. They accuse Him of being demon-possessed, which is meant to discredit Jesus by suggesting that He is suffering from some form of mental delusion or illness. It indicates a rejection and misunderstanding of Jesus’ message and the serious nature of the threats against Him.

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Historical Context

John 7 takes place during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish festival that commemorated the sojourn of the Israelites in the wilderness and God’s provision. The chapter is set in Jerusalem, where tensions between Jesus and Jewish leadership were growing. Jesus’ teachings and actions had already stirred controversy, and there were differing opinions among the people about who He was—some believed He was the promised Messiah, while others were skeptical or outright hostile. The historical context includes a Jewish expectation of a messianic figure who would liberate them, but Jesus did not conform to the conventional expectations.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse demonstrates the humanity of Jesus, facing misunderstanding and accusation from His own people. It also illustrates a recurring theme of spiritual blindness and the inability of the people to perceive the divine truth that Jesus embodied and taught. Additionally, the mention of being “possessed by a devil” implies that throughout His ministry, Jesus was often misunderstood and His divine identity was mistaken for something malevolent.

Practical Applications

In daily life, John 7:20 can serve as a reminder of the challenges that follow standing for truth and the potential for being misunderstood or falsely accused. It encourages individuals to persevere in their faith despite opposition and to seek clarity and understanding when confronted with difficult teachings or situations. It also calls for reflection on how we respond to those who bring messages that challenge our assumptions or beliefs.

Cross-References

John 8:48: “Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?”
John 10:20: “And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?”
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.”

Language Study

In John 7:20, some key Greek words include:

“Thou hast a devil” (δαιμόνιον ἔχεις – daimonion echeis) implying being under the influence of a demon or evil spirit.
“Kill” (ἀποκτείνω – apokteino) can mean to murder, put to death, or destroy.
“Goeth about” (ζητεῖ – zetei) implying an effort or desire to seek, search for, or strive after.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient myths and religious interpretations, possession by spirits was often understood as a cause for erratic or unusual behavior. In Jesus’ time, the Jewish culture had an understanding of demonic influence, which was often invoked to explain mental health issues or illnesses.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, many conditions that were historically attributed to demonic possession are now understood in terms of mental health or neurological disorders. Today, claims similar to the accusation against Jesus would likely be evaluated through psychiatric or psychological lenses.

commentaries

Commentators on this verse offer various interpretations. Some suggest that those speaking lacked the knowledge of plots against Jesus, others emphasize the sharp contrast between Jesus’ awareness of His mission and the crowd’s lack of understanding. Many also note the use of the demonic possession accusation as a means to dismiss and ridicule people who presented controversial or challenging ideas, thereby avoiding substantive engagement with the message itself.