Murmuring Among the People - John 7:12

John the apostle wrote how Jesus told His brothers, “Go you up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?”, and in chapter seven and verse twelve of his book, John shared how, “there was much murmuring among the people concerning him” where we read:

And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, No; but he deceives the people.

The verse reads, “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man:” John began with the words, “and there was much murmuring” or “and there existed a large, great and massive amount of grumbling, grudging, muttering and secret debate” “among the people concerning him” which means “by and with the Jewish people about Jesus”: “for some said” or “because, since and on account that a number of the Jewish people uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “He is a good man” which means “He, Jesus, exists as a useful, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable male human being”. John shared how there was a lot of grumbling and secret debate “among” the Jewish people because a number of them proclaimed Him to be a “pleasant, agreeable and honorable” man.

The verse goes on to say, “others said, No; but he deceives the people.” John continued with the words, “others said” which means “other people uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “no” or “not in any way”; “but he deceives” which means “moreover he, Jesus, leads in error, makes to go astray and seduces” “the people” or “the Jewish people whether male or female”. John shared how other people who were “among” the Jews determined that Jesus was only a “seducer who leads people into sin and error”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn the opinion of the crowds who desired to see Jesus. Some of them thought He was “good”, and others thought He was a fraud. We see how opinions have not varied much among people today. Jesus is the Christ and Son of God who came to the world to be the “Savior and Lord” of all who believe and trust in Him. He died for the sins of the world, and “whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” with God. (See John 3:16-18) Even as there existed doubters among the Jewish people when He was on the earth, so are there doubters today. Even though opinions of Jesus vary, it is good to remember how Paul the apostle wrote concerning Jesus, “For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (See Romans 14:11)

Next time John shares how, “no man spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".