The Meaning of John 7:12 Explained

John 7:12

KJV: 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.

YLT: and there was much murmuring about him among the multitudes, some indeed said -- 'He is good;' and others said, 'No, but he leadeth astray the multitude;'

Darby: And there was much murmuring concerning him among the crowds. Some said, He is a good man; others said, No; but he deceives the crowd.

ASV: And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does John 7:12 Mean?

Context Summary

John 7:1-13 - Known By Our Attitude Toward Jesus
This feast was celebrated in October. Six entire months had elapsed between this and the preceding chapter. During the Feast of Tabernacles the people dwelt in tents made of boughs, on the roofs of the houses, and in the open places in or around Jerusalem. The rites of the feast recalled the miraculous interpositions of the Exodus. Water was poured forth each morning in the Temple to recall the smiting of the rock. Two candelabra, lighted each evening, represented the luminous cloud which lighted the Israelites by night. The brethren of Jesus are named in Matthew 13:55, of whom James afterward became chief pastor of the Jerusalem church. They could not deny His miracles; could not understand why he did not lead the popular movement that was ready to follow; and urged that he should at least give the authorities at the capital an opportunity of examining His claims. They felt that things had reached a point where there ought to be no standing still. Jesus could not explain the reasons that actuated Him. He knew that His open challenge to Jerusalem would mean His death; but there was yet further work to be done before His time should come. Let us use our time according to the divine plan. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 7

1  Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;
10  goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles;
14  teaches in the temple
40  Various opinions of him among the people
45  The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not,
50  and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side

Greek Commentary for John 7:12

Much murmuring [γογγυσμος πολυς]
This Ionic onomatopoetic word is from γογγυζω — gogguzō for which verb see John 6:41, John 6:61; John 7:32, for secret displeasure (Acts 6:1) or querulous discontent (Philemon 2:14). Among the multitudes “The multitudes” literally, plural here only in John. These different groups were visitors from Galilee and elsewhere and were divided in their opinion of Jesus as the Galileans had already become (John 6:66). A good man Pure in motive. See Mark 10:17.; Romans 5:7 (absolute sense of God). Superior to δικαιος — dikaios Jesus had champions in these scattered groups in the temple courts. Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray Sharp clash in the crowd. Present active indicative of εκεινος ο πλανος — planaō to go astray (Matthew 18:12.), like our “planets,” to lead others astray (Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, etc.). In the end the rulers will call Jesus “that deceiver” (ekeinos ho planos Matthew 27:63). The Jewish leaders have a following among the crowds as is seen (John 7:31.). [source]
Among the multitudes [εν τοις οχλοις]
“The multitudes” literally, plural here only in John. These different groups were visitors from Galilee and elsewhere and were divided in their opinion of Jesus as the Galileans had already become (John 6:66). A good man Pure in motive. See Mark 10:17.; Romans 5:7 (absolute sense of God). Superior to δικαιος — dikaios Jesus had champions in these scattered groups in the temple courts. Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray Sharp clash in the crowd. Present active indicative of εκεινος ο πλανος — planaō to go astray (Matthew 18:12.), like our “planets,” to lead others astray (Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, etc.). In the end the rulers will call Jesus “that deceiver” (ekeinos ho planos Matthew 27:63). The Jewish leaders have a following among the crowds as is seen (John 7:31.). [source]
A good man [αγατος]
Pure in motive. See Mark 10:17.; Romans 5:7 (absolute sense of God). Superior to δικαιος — dikaios Jesus had champions in these scattered groups in the temple courts. Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray Sharp clash in the crowd. Present active indicative of εκεινος ο πλανος — planaō to go astray (Matthew 18:12.), like our “planets,” to lead others astray (Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, etc.). In the end the rulers will call Jesus “that deceiver” (ekeinos ho planos Matthew 27:63). The Jewish leaders have a following among the crowds as is seen (John 7:31.). [source]
Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray [ου αλλα πλαναι τον οχλον]
Sharp clash in the crowd. Present active indicative of εκεινος ο πλανος — planaō to go astray (Matthew 18:12.), like our “planets,” to lead others astray (Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, etc.). In the end the rulers will call Jesus “that deceiver” (ekeinos ho planos Matthew 27:63). The Jewish leaders have a following among the crowds as is seen (John 7:31.). [source]
Murmuring []
See on John 6:41. [source]
The people [τοῖς ὄχλοις]
See on John 1:19. [source]
Said [ἔλεγον]
Imperfect: were saying. [source]
Deceiveth [πλανᾷ]
Rev., better, leadeth astray. See on Mark 12:24; see on Judges 1:13. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 7:12

John 7:46 Deceived [πεπλάνησθε]
Rev., led astray. See on John 7:12. [source]
John 10:19 There was a division [σχίσμα ἐγένετο]
Rev., more correctly, there arose. The word σχίσμα , division, from σχίζω , to cleave, describes a fact which continually recurs in John's narrative. See John 6:52, John 6:60, John 6:66; John 7:12, John 7:25sqq.; John 8:22; John 9:16, John 9:17; John 10:19, John 10:24, John 10:41; John 11:37sqq.; John 12:19, John 12:29, John 12:42; John 16:18, John 16:19. [source]
John 10:19 There arose a division again [σχισμα παλιν εγενετο]
As in John 7:43 in the crowd (also in John 7:12, John 7:31), so now among the hostile Jews (Pharisees) some of whom had previously professed belief in him (John 8:31). The direct reference of παλιν — palin (again) may be to John 9:16 when the Pharisees were divided over the problem of the blind man. Division of opinion about Jesus is a common thing in John‘s Gospel (John 6:52, John 6:60, John 6:66; John 7:12, John 7:25.; John 8:22; John 9:16.; John 10:19, John 10:24, John 10:41; John 11:41.; John 12:19, John 12:29, John 12:42; John 16:18.). [source]
John 6:52 Strove [εμαχοντο]
Imperfect (inchoative) middle of μαχομαι — machomai to fight in armed combat (Acts 7:26), then to wage a war of words as here and 2 Timothy 2:24. They were already murmuring (John 6:41), now they began bitter strife with one another over the last words of Jesus (John 6:43-51), some probably seeing a spiritual meaning in them. There was division of opinion about Jesus in Jerusalem also later (John 7:12, John 7:40; John 9:16; John 10:19). How can? The very idiom used by Nicodemus in John 3:4, John 3:9. Here scornful disbelief. This man Contemptuous use pictured in John 6:42. His flesh to eat As if we were cannibals! Some MSS. do not have αυτου — autou but the meaning is clear. The mystical appropriation of Christ by the believer (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17) they could not comprehend, though some apparently were against this literal interpretation of “flesh” (σαρχ — sarx). [source]
John 7:47 Are ye also led astray? [Μη και υμεις πεπλανηστε]
The Pharisees took the lead in this scornful sneer at the officers. The use of μη — mē formally expects a negative answer as in John 4:29, but the Pharisees really believed it. See also John 6:67. The verb form is perfect passive indicative of πλαναω — planaō for which see John 7:12 with perhaps an allusion to that phase of opinion. [source]
John 7:11 The Jews [οι Ιουδαιοι]
The hostile leaders in Jerusalem, not the Galilean crowds (John 7:12) nor the populace in Jerusalem (John 7:25). Sought Imperfect active of ζητεω — zēteō “were seeking,” picture of the attitude of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus who had not yet appeared in public at the feast. In fact he had avoided Jerusalem since the collision in chapter 5. The leaders clearly wished to attack him. Where is he? “Where is that one? (emphatic use of εκεινος — ekeinos as in John 1:8; John 9:12). Jesus had been at two feasts during his ministry (passover in John 2:12.; possibly another passover in John 5:1), but he had avoided the preceding passover (John 6:4; John 7:1). The leaders in Jerusalem had kept in touch with Christ‘s work in Galilee. They anticipate a crisis in Jerusalem. [source]
John 7:32 The Pharisees [οι Παρισαιοι]
This group of the Jewish rulers (John 7:11, John 7:15, John 7:25.) was particularly hostile to Christ, though already the Sadducees had become critical (Matthew 16:6) and they join here First aorist active indicative of ακουω — akouō with the genitive case and the descriptive participle of the vivid onomatopoetic verb γογγυζω — gogguzō (John 7:12) now grown louder like the hum of bees. It was the defense of Jesus by a portion of the crowd (John 7:31) that irritated the Pharisees. Here the Pharisees take the initiative and enlist the Sadducees in the Sanhedrin (for this combination see John 7:45; John 11:47, John 11:57; Matthew 21:45; Matthew 27:62, the organized court) to send “officers” For υπηρετας — hupēretas (temple police here) see John 7:45; John 18:3, John 18:12, John 18:22; John 19:6; Acts 5:22, Acts 5:26. For the word see Matthew 5:25; Luke 1:2, “an under rower” (υπο ερετης — hupo class="translit"> eretēs), any assistant. [source]
John 7:49 This multitude [ο οχλος ουτος]
The Pharisees had a scorn for the οχλος — amhaaretz or “people of the earth” (cf. our “clod-hoppers”) as is seen in rabbinic literature. It was some of the ο μη γινοσκων — ochlos (multitude at the feast especially from Galilee) who had shown sympathy with Jesus (John 7:12, John 7:28.). Which knoweth not the law Present active articular participle of μη — ginōskō with αγραμματοι και ιδιωται — mē usual negative of the participle in the Koiné. “No brutish man is sin-fearing, nor is one of the people of the earth pious” (Aboth, II. 6). See the amazement of the Sanhedrin at Peter and John in Acts 4:13 as “unlettered and private men” No wonder the common people The rabbis scouted and scorned them. Are accursed Construction according to sense (plural verb and adjective with collective singular Επαρατοι — ochlos). επαραομαι — Eparatoi is old verbal adjective from eparaomai to call down curses upon, here only in the N.T. [source]
Acts 6:1 A murmuring of the Grecian Jews [γογγυσμος των ελληνιστων]
Late onomatopoetic word (lxx) from the late verb γογγυζω — gogguzō to mutter, to murmur. The substantive occurs also in John 7:12; Philemon 2:14; 1 Peter 4:9. It is the secret grumblings that buzz away till they are heard. These “Grecian Jews” or Hellenists are members of the church in Jerusalem who are Jews from outside of Palestine like Barnabas from Cyprus. These Hellenists had points of contact with the Gentile world without having gone over to the habits of the Gentiles, the Jews of the Western Dispersion. They spoke Greek. Against the Hebrews (προς τους Εβραιους — pros tous Ebraious). The Jewish Christians from Jerusalem and Palestine. The Aramaean Jews of the Eastern Dispersion are usually classed with the Hebrew (speaking Aramaic) as distinct from the Grecian Jews or Hellenists. Were neglected Imperfect passive of παρατεωρεω — paratheōreō old verb, to examine things placed beside The temple funds for widows were probably not available for those who have now become Christians. Though they were all Christians here concerned, yet the same line of cleavage existed as among the other Jews (Hebrew or Aramaean Jews and Hellenists). It is not here said that the murmuring arose among the widows, but because of them. Women and money occasion the first serious disturbance in the church life. There was evident sensitiveness that called for wisdom. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:8 By evil report and good report [δυσ]
Play on the words with prefixes ευ — duṡ and πημη — eu̇ and Δυσπημια — phēmē Ευπημια — Dusphēmia is a late word, only here in N.T. ως πλανοι και αλητεις — Euphēmia old and common word, only here in N.T. As deceivers and yet true (ως — hōs planoi kai alētheis). Paul takes up δια — hōs now in place of εν — dia which succeeded και — en Note use of Πλανος — kai in sense of “and yet” (adversative). πλαναω — Planos is late word (Diodorus, Josephus) for wandering, vagabond, impostor (cf. πλανος — planaō to lead astray, used of Christ, John 7:12). In N.T. only here; Matthew 27:63 (of Christ by Pharisees); 2 John 1:7. “In the Clementines St. Paul is expressly described by his adversaries as πλανην — planos and as disseminating deceit (planēn)” (Bernard). Such slander from one‘s enemies is praise. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:8 As deceivers and yet true [ως]
Paul takes up δια — hōs now in place of εν — dia which succeeded και — en Note use of Πλανος — kai in sense of “and yet” (adversative). πλαναω — Planos is late word (Diodorus, Josephus) for wandering, vagabond, impostor (cf. πλανος — planaō to lead astray, used of Christ, John 7:12). In N.T. only here; Matthew 27:63 (of Christ by Pharisees); 2 John 1:7. “In the Clementines St. Paul is expressly described by his adversaries as πλανην — planos and as disseminating deceit Such slander from one‘s enemies is praise. [source]

What do the individual words in John 7:12 mean?

And murmuring about Him there was much among the crowds Some indeed were saying - Good He is Others however No but He deceives the people
καὶ γογγυσμὸς περὶ αὐτοῦ ἦν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς ὄχλοις οἱ μὲν ἔλεγον ὅτι Ἀγαθός ἐστιν Ἄλλοι δὲ Οὔ ἀλλὰ πλανᾷ τὸν ὄχλον

γογγυσμὸς  murmuring 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γογγυσμός  
Sense: a murmur, murmuring, muttering.
περὶ  about 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἦν  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
πολὺς  much 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ὄχλοις  crowds 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
οἱ  Some 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
ἔλεγον  were  saying 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
ὅτι  - 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
Ἀγαθός  Good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.
ἐστιν  He  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
Ἄλλοι  Others 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Οὔ  No 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
πλανᾷ  He  deceives 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πλανάω  
Sense: to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way.
ὄχλον  people 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.