Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The anger and disbelief here isn't just a simple disagreement; it's rooted in a profound misunderstanding of divine authority, where any spiritual power or insight not fitting their rigid expectations was immediately labeled as demonic. They dismiss Jesus not just because they don't understand, but because he disrupts their established religious order, and in their eyes, anyone who does that must be operating from a dark place.
Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been speaking about His sheep hearing His voice and following Him, which has caused a deep division among the Jewish listeners. Some accuse Him of being possessed by a demon and being mentally unstable, questioning why anyone would listen to such a person. Others, however, find His words profoundly meaningful, noting that a demon could not perform the miracles He does, like opening the eyes of the blind.
When Jesus spoke profound truths, some people didn't just disagree – they accused him of being possessed! What did 'having a demon' really mean to them, and why was it such a potent insult?
The accusation that Jesus 'has a demon' was more than just calling him crazy. It was a deliberate attempt to discredit him by associating him with evil spiritual forces.
Jesus’ words weren’t just ignored; they actively divided people. Why does truth, especially divine truth, so often lead to conflict rather than consensus?
Ask a follow-up
The immediate reaction to Jesus' powerful claims was not agreement, but division. This verse highlights a crucial reality: genuine truth doesn't always unite; it often exposes underlying loyalties and forces people to take sides.
Understand the original words
daimonion · Greek Noun
A malevolent spiritual entity that opposes God and seeks to corrupt or afflict humans. Attributing Jesus’ words to a demon is a rejection of His divine origin and a denial of His mission.
mainomai · Greek Verb
A state of mental disturbance or irrationality. Calling Jesus 'insane' highlights the profound misunderstanding and hostility of those who rejected His messianic testimony.
The accusations of Jesus having a demon and being mad reflect a deep societal division and a tactic used by opponents to discredit him amidst religious and political turmoil. This wasn't just a theological disagreement, but a charged atmosphere where such labels served to silence and alienate those who questioned the status quo.
c. 98-95 BC
Reign of Alexander Jannaeus
The reign of Alexander Jannaeus was marked by internal strife and conflict between the Pharisees and Sadducees, setting a precedent for division within Jewish society.
63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome’s annexation of Judea brought significant political and social upheaval, influencing Jewish expectations of a Messiah and creating an atmosphere of tension.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and performing miracles, which elicits strong reactions and divisions among the Jewish population.
c. AD 29-30— this verse
Feast of Dedication at the Temple
Jesus is at the temple during the Feast of Dedication, a time of religious observance and renewal, where he engages in a heated discussion with Jewish leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Growing Opposition and Division
The persistent division among the Jews escalates, with some believing in Jesus and others vehemently rejecting him, leading to accusations of demonic influence.
This passage shows a similar accusation from the crowd, stating 'You are trying to kill me!' and then following up with accusations of being demon-possessed, mirroring the hostility and misunderstanding Jesus faced.
John 8:48Here, the Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan and having a demon, demonstrating a pattern of dismissing His words and character with baseless insults when they couldn't refute His teachings.
1 Corinthians 1:18This verse highlights the 'foolishness' of the cross to those perishing, paralleling how the crowd in John 10 dismissed Jesus' profound message as madness, unable to grasp its divine wisdom.
Acts 26:24Festus' accusation of Paul being 'mad' because of his intense belief and proclamation of the resurrection echoes the crowd's dismissal of Jesus' claims as insanity, showing how radical truth can be perceived by skeptics.
clarkeJohn 10:20: "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"
He hath a devil, and is mad - So, then, a demoniac and a madman were not exactly the same in the apprehension of the Jews; no more than the effect is the same with the cause which produces it. Some will have it that, when the Jews told our Lord that he had a demon, they meant no more than that he was deranged; but here these matters are evidently distinguished. They believed him to be possessed by a demon, who de…
bengelJohn 10:20: "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"
John 10:20 . Πολλοί , many ) They were wont to take in the worst light His most lofty and sweetest discourses.[283][283] τὶ αὐτοῦ ἀκούετε , why hear ye Him? ) It is a case full of danger, when even hearing is refused.—V. g.
The anger and disbelief here isn't just a simple disagreement; it's rooted in a profound misunderstanding of divine authority, where any spiritual power or insight not fitting their rigid expectations was immediately labeled as demonic. They dismiss Jesus not just because they don't understand, but because he disrupts their established religious order, and in their eyes, anyone who does that must be operating from a dark place.
Jesus has just been speaking about His sheep hearing His voice and following Him, which has caused a deep division among the Jewish listeners. Some accuse Him of being possessed by a demon and being mentally unstable, questioning why anyone would listen to such a person. Others, however, find His words profoundly meaningful, noting that a demon could not perform the miracles He does, like opening the eyes of the blind.
Jesus has just been speaking about His sheep hearing His voice and following Him, which has caused a deep division among the Jewish listeners. Some accuse Him of being possessed by a demon and being mentally unstable, questioning why anyone would listen to such a person. Others, however, find His words profoundly meaningful, noting that a demon could not perform the miracles He does, like opening the eyes of the blind.
"Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”" — The anger and disbelief here isn't just a simple disagreement; it's rooted in a profound misunderstanding of divine authority, where any spiritual power or insight not fitting their rigid expectation…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026