John 10:19–21:
The Division Caused by Jesus’ Words

The Correct Interpretation of John 10:19–21

After Jesus’ declarations about the Good Shepherd, the other sheep, and His voluntary self-giving (John 10:14–18), division once again arises among His hearers. Some respond by accusing Him of having a demon and being raving mad, while others compare that accusation with His words and with the recent sign in which He opened the eyes of the man who had been born blind.

(v. 19)
«Therefore there was another division among the Jews because of these words.»

John notes that there was “another division” among the Jews.

This is not the first time this has happened. There had already been division over Jesus (John 7:43; John 9:16).

The immediate cause now is “these words”, that is, what Jesus has just declared about being the Good Shepherd, laying down His life on behalf of the sheep, and having authority to take it up again.

His hearers do not reach a common conclusion about Him.

(v. 20)
«Many of them were saying: “He has a demon and is raving mad. Why do you listen to him?”»

Many respond by completely rejecting Jesus.

They accuse Him of “having a demon” and being “raving mad.”

The accusation that He has a demon had already appeared in John 8:48 and John 8:52. Now it is used again as an explanation for dismissing His words.

They also ask: “Why do you listen to him?”

They not only reject Jesus themselves, but also consider that others should no longer listen to Him.

(v. 21)
«Others were saying: “These are not the sayings of someone who is demonized. A demon cannot open blind people’s eyes, can it?”»

Other hearers reject that explanation.

First they appeal to Jesus’ words:

“These are not the sayings of someone who is demonized.”

Then they appeal to His work:

“A demon cannot open blind people’s eyes, can it?”

The reference points directly back to the sign in John 9. The healing of the man who had been born blind continues to function as evidence that must be accounted for when trying to judge who Jesus is.

This group still does not make a complete confession about His identity. Nevertheless, they recognize that the accusation of demonization does not fit either His words or the work He has just performed.

Implications

• Jesus’ words continue to produce divided responses: some openly reject Him while others question the accusations against Him.
• The accusation against Jesus must be weighed against His words and works: some recognize that His words and works do not fit the accusation that He is demonized.
• The sign of the man born blind continues to testify about Jesus: even after the investigation in John 9, His work remains part of the discussion about His identity.
• Not everyone who rejects an accusation against Jesus has yet come to understand fully who He is: the second group questions the accusation, but the text does not yet say that they believed.

Applications

• Consider Jesus’ words and works together: both form part of the testimony about who He is.
• Do not accept an accusation simply because others repeat it: examine whether it actually fits the evidence.
• Do not dismiss Jesus in order to avoid considering what He says: His words must be heard and evaluated for what they actually claim.
• Continue moving from recognizing that an accusation is false toward understanding who Jesus is: rejecting an incorrect explanation is not the same as fully knowing His identity.

Summary

In John 10:19–21, Jesus’ words once again produce division among the Jews. Many reject Him by accusing Him of having a demon and being raving mad, and ask why anyone should listen to Him. Others, however, recognize that this accusation does not fit either His words or the recent sign of opening the eyes of the man who had been born blind. Although this second group does not yet express a complete confession about who Jesus is, they recognize that the explanation offered by His opponents does not correspond with the evidence before them.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You that through Your Son You have spoken and performed works that testify about who He is.

Help us take the words and works of Jesus Christ seriously and not accept accusations or conclusions that contradict what You have revealed.

Give us discernment to recognize the truth and humility to continue growing in our understanding of Your Son.

Keep us from dismissing what we do not want to hear, and make us attentive to the evidence You have placed before us.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.