What is the meaning of John 7:12? Many in the crowds were whispering about Him • The scene is the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 10), bustling with pilgrims, local residents, and religious leaders. • Whispering shows fear of the authorities, who had already resolved to silence Jesus (John 7:13). • Christ’s presence always provokes response; no one remains neutral (Matthew 12:30). • Similar hushed inquiry appears with Nicodemus coming by night (John 3:2) and secret believers afraid of expulsion (John 12:42). • What is whispered in secret will one day be proclaimed from the housetops (Luke 12:3). Some said, “He is a good man.” • They recognized His flawless character and compassionate works (Acts 10:38; John 7:31). • Calling Him merely “good” is inadequate; Jesus taught that perfect goodness belongs to God alone (Mark 10:17-18), thereby nudging listeners toward His deity. • He is sinless (1 Peter 2:22) and the very embodiment of divine goodness (John 10:11). • Accepting His moral excellence without embracing His lordship is an incomplete confession (John 20:28). But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.” • Opponents claimed He misled crowds, repeating the charge of Sabbath violation (John 5:18) and even demon possession (John 7:20; 8:48). • The same slander recurs at the cross—“that deceiver” (Matthew 27:63)—fulfilling Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and rejected by men.” • Ironically, they attribute deception to the One who is “the truth” (John 14:6); the real deceiver is the devil (John 8:44). • Spiritual blindness, not lack of evidence, drives such accusations (2 Corinthians 4:4). • To reject Christ as liar while witnessing His works (John 9:16; 12:37) exposes hardened unbelief. summary Crowds at the feast whispered about Jesus, torn between acknowledgment of His goodness and accusations of deceit. The contrast forces today’s readers to decide: Will we timidly admire Him, openly trust Him as Lord, or wrongly label Him a deceiver? Scripture affirms that the “good man” is the sinless, truthful Son of God, worthy of bold, public faith. |
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