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John 7:40-43
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet…

John 9:16
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Matthew 10:34,35
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword…

because of Jesus’ message
Jesus' message was revolutionary and often counter-cultural, emphasizing themes like the Kingdom of God, repentance, and the fulfillment of the Law through love and grace. His claims of divinity and authority, as seen inJohn 10:30 where He states, "I and the Father are one," were particularly controversial. This message challenged the religious leaders' understanding of God and the Law, leading to division. The message of Jesus also fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, such as those found inIsaiah 53, which describe a suffering servant who would bring salvation. Jesus' teachings and actions, such as performing miracles and forgiving sins, were seen as direct claims to His messianic identity, further polarizing His audience.

• The opening word signals a repeated pattern. Earlier, crowds were already split over Jesus (John 7:43 — “So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus”).

•John 9:16 recounts a similar reaction after He healed the blind man.

• Scripture shows that whenever God speaks plainly, human hearts are exposed (Hebrews 4:12), so the recurrence should not surprise us.

• Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). That claim forces a choice: believe and follow, or reject and oppose.

•Luke 12:51 records Jesus saying, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” His presence and words necessarily separate light from darkness (John 3:19-21).

•1 Corinthians 1:18 underlines the principle: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

• John uses “the Jews” mainly for the religious leaders and those influenced by them (cf.John 1:19; 9:22).

• They prided themselves on knowing Scripture, yetIsaiah 53:1 asks, “Who has believed our message?” pointing to the tragic reality that covenant knowledge does not guarantee faith.

• Even within that group, some hearts were drawn (John 3:1-2; 12:42), proving the promise ofJeremiah 24:7 that God gives certain ones “a heart to know Me.”

• The immediate context isJohn 10:1-18, where Jesus declares:

– “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved” (v. 9).

– “I lay down My life for the sheep” (v. 15).

• Such exclusive, sacrificial claims confront human pride and religious tradition.Acts 4:12 echoes the exclusivity: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

• His message not only informed but demanded surrender (Matthew 16:24-25). Many resisted that call, leading to the split John records.

John 10:19 captures an ever-present reality: when Jesus speaks, people divide. The repetition (“Again”) shows that His truth consistently exposes hearts. The division is real (“there was division”), specific (it rose “among the Jews”), and directly tied to His uncompromising declaration of Himself as the only saving Shepherd (“because of Jesus’ message”). Some hear and believe; others harden and oppose. The verse reminds every reader that neutrality toward Jesus is impossible—His word still calls each of us to decide.

Among the Jews.--The Pharisees are mentioned before, and they are the persons who have been present all through this discourse. (Comp.John 9:40.) The wider word is here, and inJohn 9:18, applied to them. They were identifying themselves with, and becoming leaders of, the party who were the enemies of Christ. (Comp. Note onJohn 1:19.)

(b)Thetwofold effect of this declaration.Verses 19, 20. -There arosea division again among the Jews because of these words. And many of them were saying, He hath a daemon, and is mad; why hear ye him? The division among the Jews had repeatedly taken place. InJohn 7:12, 30, 31, 40, 41, and John 9:8, 9, 16, we see different stages of the hostility and different aspects of opinion. They reached a similar point of expression inJohn 7:20;John 8:48. With bitter madness the Pharisees charged the Lord with being under the power of a "daemon," and with consequent raving,i.e. with irrationality and even evil motive. By this means "the Jews" sought to dissuade the people from any attention to suchλόγους (sermones, Vulgate), discourses. They would not have done this if the impression on some had not been conspicuous and overpowering. "Why hear ye him?" This was not the first time such division had occurred, and hence theπάλιν, again (see notes,John 8:48). Some were listening with eager, bewildering excitement. They knew not what to think. Their nascent faith is rebuked by the authorities.

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