King James Version

What Does John 10:21 Mean?

John 10:21 in the King James Version says “Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” — study this verse from John chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”

John 10:21 · KJV

Context

19

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

20

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

22

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil—A dissenting voice emerges. While "many" (verse 20) accused Jesus of madness, "others" (ἄλλοι/alloi) recognized the inconsistency: demon-possessed people don't speak with such wisdom, authority, and coherence. The phrase "these are not the words" (ταῦτα τὰ ῥήματα οὐκ ἔστιν/tauta ta rhēmata ouk estin) appeals to the content and character of Jesus's teaching as evidence against the accusation.

Demons produce confusion, destruction, and darkness. Jesus's words produce illumination, life, and coherent truth. The disconnect between the accusation (demon possession) and the evidence (Jesus's teaching) was obvious to those willing to see. This demonstrates that even amid opposition, truth has witnesses. Not everyone was blind to Jesus's credentials.

Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?—This question references Jesus's recent healing of the man born blind (John 9), a miracle that preceded this discourse. The logic is irrefutable: demons blind, destroy, and kill; they don't heal, restore, and give sight. The miracle provides empirical evidence that Jesus operates by divine, not demonic, power.

The Greek construction expects a negative answer: "A demon cannot open blind eyes, can it?" The question exposes the absurdity of the accusation. Satan's kingdom opposes God's restorative work; Jesus's miracles demonstrate the kingdom of God breaking into Satan's domain (Matthew 12:28). To attribute Christ's healings to Satan is to credit darkness with producing light—a logical and theological impossibility.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The healing of the blind man (John 9) was a watershed event. The man's testimony was simple but devastating: "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). The Pharisees couldn't dispute the miracle—neighbors confirmed the man's previous blindness—so they excommunicated him and attacked Jesus.

In first-century Jewish thought, healing demonstrated divine favor and power. Demons caused afflictions; God healed them. For Jesus to consistently heal diseases, cast out demons, and restore the broken suggested He operated with divine authority. The question "Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" leveraged this theological framework: if Jesus heals, He cannot be from Satan.

Jesus Himself made this argument when accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub: "If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:26). A divided kingdom falls. The consistency and nature of Jesus's works testified to their source: the Father.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Jesus's miracles serve as evidence of His divine identity and mission?
  2. Why do some people acknowledge Christ's extraordinary works yet refuse to believe in Him?
  3. What role does willingness to see the evidence play in coming to faith—is unbelief primarily an intellectual problem or a volitional one?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
ἄλλοι1 of 14

“Others”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

ἔλεγον2 of 14

“said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ταῦτα3 of 14

“These”

G5023

these things

τὰ4 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥήματα5 of 14

“the words”

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

οὐκ6 of 14

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν7 of 14

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

δαιμονιζομένου·8 of 14

“of him that hath a devil”

G1139

to be exercised by a daemon

μὴ9 of 14

“Can”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

δαιμόνιον10 of 14

“a devil”

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

δύναται11 of 14
G1410

to be able or possible

τυφλῶν12 of 14

“of the blind”

G5185

opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)

ὀφθαλμοὺς13 of 14

“the eyes”

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

ἀνοίγειν14 of 14

“open”

G455

to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 10:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 10:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 4:11Matthew 11:5Isaiah 35:5-6Psalms 94:9Exodus 8:19Proverbs 20:12

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