John 7:12

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. AND THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING [OR 'MUTTERING' gongusmos (G1112 )] AMONG THE PEOPLE, [ en (G1722) tois (G3588) ochlois (G3793)] - 'among the multitudes;' the natural expression of a Jewish writer, indicating without design, as Webster and Wilkinson remark, the crowded state of Jerusalem at this festival. CONCERNING HIM: FOR SOME SAID, HE IS A GOOD MAN: OTHERS SAID, NAY; BUT HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE - or 'the multitude' ...

12._And there was much murmuring. _He means that, wherever men were collected in crowds, as usually happens in large assemblies, they held secret conversations about Christ. The diversity of opinion, which is here related, proves that it is not a new evil, that men should differ in their opinions about Christ, even in the very bosom of the Church. And as we do not hesitate to receive Christ, who was formerly condemned by the greater part of his own nation, so we ought to be armed with the same kind of shield, that the dissensions which we see daily may not disturb us. Again, we may perceive how great is the rashness of men in the things of God. In a matter of no importance, they would not have taken so great liberty, but when the question relates to the Son of God and to his most holy doctrine, they immediately hasten to give judgment respecting it. So much the greater moderation ought w...

1-13 The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them....

Verse John 7:12. _SOME SAID, HE IS A GOOD MAN_] The multitude were divided in their opinions concerning him: those who knew him best said, _He is a good man_. Those who spoke according to the character given him by the priests, c., said, _Nay but he deceiveth the_ _people_. Those who spoke evil of him spoke _out_, because they had the _rulers_ on _their side_; but those who spoke _good_ of him were obliged to do it in _private_, because they feared these rulers. Calumny and slander are among the privileged orders; they stalk abroad with their thousand brazen mouths, and blast the reputation of the followers of God. Benevolence and candour are only on sufferance; and a _whisper_ in _secret_ is the most they are permitted to give in behalf of Christ and his followers, whose laws and maxims condemn a vicious world, and goad it to revenge....

MURMURING - Contention, disputing. HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE - That is, he is deluding them, or drawing them away by pretending to be the Messiah....

EXPOSITION Ch. 7-10. contain the record of the conflict between faith and unbelief in the metropolis. At first the narrative indicates a vast amount of critical inquiry, of unsettled opinion, of angry disappointment and a certain readiness to be convinced on the part of one section or another. The secrecy of the Galilean village is contrasted with the broad arena of the temple courts. "The Jews," or leaders of opinion and authority in Judaea and Jerusalem, who were hostile, are seen in contrast with "the Jews who believed on him" (John 8:31). There are multitudes and multitudes (John 10:12, John 10:30, John 10:31), priests and Pharisees ...

AND THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING AMONG THE PEOPLE CONCERNING HIM,.... There was a general whisper, and a private controversy and contention among the people about him, upon inquiry being made after him: FOR SOME SAID HE IS A GOOD MAN; a man of a good principle, of a good life and conversation; and who is good, kind, and beneficent, both to the bodies and souls of men; preaches good doctrine, and does many good things: OTHERS SAID: NAY, or denied him to be a good man: BUT HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE; drawing them off from the law of Moses, teaching them to break the sabbath, setting himself up for the Messiah, and asserting himself to be the son of God....

John 7:1. _After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him._ It is a very painful truth, that those who were the near relations of the Saviour were not believers in his divine mission; at any rate, at first. He was truly a prophet who was without honour in his own country, and among his own kindred; and, on this occasion, they half taunted him concerning his claims. In effect, they said to him, «If indeed you are a prophet, get out into the world, and prove it....

CHAPTER 7 _ 1. My Time is not Yet Come. (John 7:1 .)_ 2. Departure from Galilee; Sought by the Jews. (John 7:10 .) 3. In the Temple Teaching. (John 7:14 .) 4. Opposition to Him. (John 7:30 .) 5. The Indwelling Spirit Promised. (John 7:37 .) 6. The Division Among the People Because of Him. (John 7:40 .) 7. The Returning Officers and the Defense of Nicodemus. (John 7:45 .)

THE SECRET VISIT. Soon, however, He receives the Divine intimation, for which He always waits (_cf. John 2:4_, John 11:6 f.) and goes up secretly. The Jews are discussing Him, and various opinions are expressed, but only in secret from fear of the leaders of the party, who are known to be hostile. When He appears in the Temple and teaches, they are surprised at the power of one who has not been trained in the schools. He replies that His teaching has a higher source, as all will recognise who are willing to obey God's will (_cf._ Numbers 16:28). The self-sent teacher will betray himself by the selfishness of his aims. Circumcision is allowed to override the law of the Sabbath. Why not, therefore, His healing of the whole man, in