John 7:13

"There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”"

Key Reflection

This passage highlights the divided responses to Jesus, reflecting the broader conflict between truth and falsehood in his time. The murmuring among the crowd underscores the tension between those who recognized his goodness and those who saw him as a threat to established norms, mirroring the larger narrative of resistance to the divine message throughout biblical history.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. Spake openly of him. The word translated openly, here, is commonly rendered boldly. This refers, doubtless, to those who really believed on him. His enemies were not silent; but his friends had not confidence to speak of him openly or boldly--that is, to speak what they really thought. Many supposed that he was the Messiah, yet even this they did not dare to profess. All that they could say in his favour was that he was a good man. There are always many such friends of Jesus in the world who are desirous of saying something good about him, but who, from fear or shame, refuse to make a full acknowledgement of him.

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