John 10:20 – “Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?'”

Extended Explanation

This verse captures the strong opposition Jesus faced during His ministry. After Jesus declared that He was the Good Shepherd and that He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again, many in the crowd responded by accusing Him of being demon-possessed and insane.

Their reaction reveals the stubborn unbelief of those who refused to accept Jesus’ words. Instead of listening and considering that He might truly be the Messiah, they rejected Him outright. Calling Him “raving mad” was a way of saying that His teachings were absurd, dangerous, or even offensive.

This pattern is seen throughout the Gospels—some believed, some doubted, and some outright rejected Him. Even though Jesus performed miracles, spoke with divine authority, and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, many still refused to accept who He was.

This verse reminds us that Jesus’ message was not always welcomed—and it still isn’t today. People who do not want to believe will find reasons to reject Him, no matter how much evidence is presented.

Historical Context

By this point in His ministry, Jesus had already done many miraculous works:

• He healed the sick, cast out demons, and even restored sight to the blind (John 9).
• He had openly challenged the corrupt religious system.
• He had made bold claims about His identity, including saying that He and the Father are one (John 10:30).

Instead of acknowledging these miracles as signs that Jesus was truly sent by God, many rejected Him outright.

Calling someone “demon-possessed” was a serious accusation in Jewish culture. The religious leaders had used this same accusation before when Jesus cast out demons (Matthew 12:22-24). They could not deny His power, so they tried to explain it away as something evil rather than divine.

This verse shows that rejecting Jesus was not based on lack of evidence—it was a deliberate choice to ignore the truth.

Theological Implications

1. Unbelief is not always due to lack of evidence – Some people reject Jesus even when they see the truth because they do not want to submit to Him.
2. Jesus’ message has always been controversial – Then and now, His words cause strong reactions. Some people believe, while others resist and attack.
3. Opposition to Jesus is often irrational – Instead of engaging with His teachings, people tried to dismiss Him as insane or possessed.
4. Following Jesus means we will face opposition too – If Jesus Himself was rejected and mocked, His followers should expect the same treatment.

Literary Analysis

• “Many of them said” – This phrase shows that opposition to Jesus was not limited to a few individuals—it was widespread.
• “He is demon-possessed and raving mad” – These accusations show how extreme their rejection was. They were not simply disagreeing with Jesus; they were attacking His character.
• “Why listen to him?” – This rhetorical question is an attempt to discourage others from following Jesus. Instead of debating His words, they mock and dismiss Him.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 12:24 – The Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan.
• Mark 3:21 – Jesus’ own family thought He was “out of His mind” at one point.
• John 8:48 – The Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan and demon-possessed.
• John 15:18-20 – Jesus warns that the world will hate His followers just as it hated Him.
• Isaiah 53:3 – A prophecy that the Messiah would be “despised and rejected by mankind.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that rejection of Jesus is not new. People in Jesus’ time dismissed Him as crazy or possessed, and people today often reject Him in similar ways—calling Christianity foolish, outdated, or even dangerous.

For Christians, this means:

1. Expect opposition – If people rejected Jesus, they will reject His followers too (John 15:18).
2. Do not be discouraged by unbelief – Some people will refuse to believe no matter what. Keep sharing the truth anyway.
3. Trust in God’s Word, not public opinion – Just because a crowd dismisses Jesus does not mean He is wrong. Truth is not determined by majority opinion.
4. Pray for those who reject Jesus – Many who once rejected Jesus later came to faith (like Paul, who persecuted Christians before becoming a follower of Christ).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is patient. Even though people mocked and rejected Jesus, He did not turn away from His mission. He continued preaching, healing, and ultimately gave His life for the very people who insulted Him.

This verse shows that God does not force people to believe—He allows them to choose. But His love remains. Even those who rejected Jesus had the opportunity to repent and believe later.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse reveals:

• Jesus’ courage – Even in the face of opposition, He kept teaching the truth.
• Jesus’ suffering – He was not only physically crucified but also verbally and emotionally attacked.
• Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy – The Messiah was expected to be rejected (Isaiah 53:3), and this verse shows that prophecy being fulfilled.
• Jesus’ patience – He did not respond with anger but continued His mission to save sinners.

Even on the cross, Jesus prayed for those who mocked Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think people were so quick to dismiss Jesus as crazy or demon-possessed?
2. Have you ever experienced rejection for your faith? How did you respond?
3. How does this verse challenge us to stand firm in our belief even when others mock Christianity?
4. What are some modern ways people try to discredit Jesus today?
5. How can we lovingly respond to those who reject Jesus instead of arguing with them?