Our Lord did not shrink from the avowal of His divine origin and glory, when there was need or when they were challenged. See John 4:26; Matthew 26:64. For the most part, however, He wished men to exercise their own faculties of discernment and to accept Him, not because He told them what He was, but because they were inwardly convinced.
In John 10:27 we have three characteristics of His sheep-to hear, to be recognized by Him, and to follow; and in John 10:28 there are also three privileges which they enjoy-to possess eternal life, never to perish, never to be snatched away by man or devil.
Note the safety of those who really belong to Christ. They are not only in His hand, but in the Father's, because the Father and He are one. "Your life is hid with Christ in God." Here is a double protection. They may wander far, lose joy and comfort, fall on dark and stormy times, but He is responsible for them, will seek them out, and bring them home. This also is true-that our relationship with Jesus involves our relationship with the Father. But if any should presume to live carelessly because of this divine grace, it is clear that such a one is not one of Christ's sheep. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 10
1Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd 19Diverse opinions of him 23He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God; 31escapes the Jews; 39and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him
Greek Commentary for John 10:20
He has a demon and is mad [δαιμονιον εχει και μαινεται] As some had already said (John 7:20; John 8:48 with the addition of “Samaritan”). So long before in Mark 3:21. An easy way of discounting Jesus. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 10:20
John 8:48Thou art a Samaritan and hast a demon [Σαμαρειτης ει συ και δαιμονιον εχεις] On the spur of the moment in their rage and fury they can think of no meaner things to say. They know, of course, that Jesus was not a Samaritan, but he had acted like a Samaritan in challenging their peculiar spiritual privileges (John 4:9,John 4:39). The charge of having a demon was an old one by the Pharisees (Matthew 12:24) and it is repeated later (John 10:20). [source]
Acts 26:24With a loud voice [μεγαληι τηι πωνηι] Associative instrumental case showing manner (Robertson, Grammar, p. 530) and the predicate use of the adjective, “with the voice loud” (elevated). Thou art mad (μαινηι mainēi). Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. Thy much learning doth turn thee to madness “Is turning thee round.” Old verb περιτρεπω peritrepō but only here in N.T. Festus thought that Paul‘s “much learning” (=“many letters,” cf. John 7:15 of Jesus) of the Hebrew Scriptures to which he had referred was turning his head to madness (wheels in his head) and he was going mad right before them all. The old word μανια mania (our mania, frenzy, cf. maniac) occurs here only in N.T. Note unusual position of σε se between πολλα polla and γραμματα grammata (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 418, 420) [source]
Acts 26:24Thou art mad [μαινηι] Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. [source]
What do the individual words in John 10:20 mean?
Were sayingnowmanyofthemA demonHe hasandis insanewhyHimdo you listen to
Greek Commentary for John 10:20
As some had already said (John 7:20; John 8:48 with the addition of “Samaritan”). So long before in Mark 3:21. An easy way of discounting Jesus. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 10:20
On the spur of the moment in their rage and fury they can think of no meaner things to say. They know, of course, that Jesus was not a Samaritan, but he had acted like a Samaritan in challenging their peculiar spiritual privileges (John 4:9, John 4:39). The charge of having a demon was an old one by the Pharisees (Matthew 12:24) and it is repeated later (John 10:20). [source]
Associative instrumental case showing manner (Robertson, Grammar, p. 530) and the predicate use of the adjective, “with the voice loud” (elevated). Thou art mad (μαινηι mainēi). Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. Thy much learning doth turn thee to madness “Is turning thee round.” Old verb περιτρεπω peritrepō but only here in N.T. Festus thought that Paul‘s “much learning” (=“many letters,” cf. John 7:15 of Jesus) of the Hebrew Scriptures to which he had referred was turning his head to madness (wheels in his head) and he was going mad right before them all. The old word μανια mania (our mania, frenzy, cf. maniac) occurs here only in N.T. Note unusual position of σε se between πολλα polla and γραμματα grammata (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 418, 420) [source]
Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. [source]