John 10:20

Translations

Modern

Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

Traditional

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

Literal

And many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”

Latin

Dicebant autem multi ex ipsis: Dæmonium habet, et insanit: quid eum auditis?

Interlinear

Greek

English

Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

Notes

John 10:19–21

Jesus divided his audience yet again (see also 6:66–69; 7:43; 9:16). His words and actions led people to one of two responses: opposition or faith.
He is demon-possessed: Compare 7:20; 8:48–49, 52.

John 10:1–21

This illustration of a shepherd and his sheep comes from a Middle Eastern perspective of shepherding and Old Testament traditions in first-century AD Jewish culture. God was the shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23; 78:52–53; Isaiah 40:10–11).

Spiritual and political leaders of Israel were also shepherds of God’s people, the flock of God (Isaiah 56:9–12; Jeremiah 23:1–4; Ezekiel 34).

Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22). At that time, people remembered both faithful and unfaithful leaders in Israel’s history.

In this setting, Jesus addressed the theme of shepherds. He spoke in a way that echoes Ezekiel 34, where God condemns bad shepherds and promises to care for his people himself. Jesus then identified himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11–14).

John 10:1–42

Chapter 10 continues the series of feast sermons (see study note on 5:1–10:42). Here, the setting is the Feast of Dedication. The timing of this feast is important for understanding the story (see study note on 10:22).

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

The Good Shepherd Teachingc. AD 29

Related verses

John 7:20
“You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”
Mark 3:21
When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”
John 8:52
“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
John 8:47–48
Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
John 9:28–29
Then they heaped insults on him and said, “You are His disciple; we are disciples of Moses.
Isaiah 53:8
By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.
Acts 25:19–20
They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts 26:30–32
Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them.
John 7:46–52
“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.
Acts 26:24
At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
Matthew 9:34
But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.”
Matthew 10:25
It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

John 10:20

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