Verses 20 and 21 explain the division caused among the Jews by Jesus’ words. Some thought he was demon-possessed (verse 20), while others suggest that it was impossible for a demon to open the eyes of blind men (verse 21).

Also in 7.20 and in 8.48 Jesus is accused of being demon-possessed. He has demon! He is crazy! in reality represents a single accusation, for according to ancient Jewish thought, demon possession caused insanity. Because of the causal relation between having a demon and being crazy, it may be possible to say “Because he has a demon, he is crazy” or “He has a demon and therefore he is crazy.” As has already been pointed out in other contexts, it may be necessary to use different expressions for He has a demon, for example, “A demon has him” or “… is riding him” or “… lives within him.” Different languages possess various idioms for being crazy, for example, “His mind is twisted,” “His mind has left him,” “He doesn’t have the world,” and “He has become another person.”

Listen to translates the same verb used in verse 16. In the present context it may be translated “pay any attention to.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .