John Calvin Commentary John 7:12

"And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray." — John 7:12 (ASV)

And there was much murmuring. He means that wherever people gathered in crowds, as usually happens in large assemblies, they held secret conversations about Christ. The diversity of opinion related here proves that it is not a new evil for people to differ in their opinions about Christ, even in the very bosom of the Church.

And just as we do not hesitate to receive Christ, who was formerly condemned by the greater part of his own nation, so we ought to be armed with the same kind of shield, so that the dissensions we see daily may not disturb us. Again, we can perceive how great is the rashness of people in the things of God.

In a matter of no importance, they would not have taken such great liberty; but when the question relates to the Son of God and to his most holy doctrine, they immediately rush to pass judgment on it. Therefore, we ought to maintain even greater moderation, so that we do not thoughtlessly condemn our own lives by our rash handling of God's eternal truth.

And if the world considers us impostors, let us remember that these are the marks and brands of Christ, provided that we show, at the same time, that we are faithful. This passage also shows that in a great multitude, even when the whole body is in a state of confusion, there are always some who think rightly; but those few persons whose minds are well-ordered are swallowed up by the multitude of those whose understandings are bewildered.