John 10:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Many dismiss Jesus as demon-possessed and insane, urging others not to listen to him.
What Does John 10:20 Mean?
One side of the division speaks first. Unable to answer the words themselves, many reach for the oldest dismissals — madness and the devil — and try to cut the conversation short: "why hear ye him?" The charge had been thrown at him before (John 7:20; 8:48) and would follow him to the end.
Notice the strategy of unbelief: stop the listening. If the Shepherd's voice finds sheep wherever it is heard, then the surest defense against him is to stop the ears. The accusation answers nothing; it only protects the accuser. It is still the world's way with Christ — ridicule in place of refutation — and the verse quietly counsels us to keep listening anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 10:20
What does John 10:20 mean?
Many dismiss Jesus as demon-possessed and insane, urging others not to listen to him.