The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
The crowd that was standing around heard the voice and were split on what just happened. Some people were like 'that was just thunder,' while others were convinced 'no way, that was literally an angel talking to him.'
When God speaks, some people hear thunder while others hear angels, it's all about what you're listening for.
📚 Historical Context
In the Gospel of John, this verse occurs during the final days of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, shortly after His triumphal entry and a prayer where He asked God to glorify His name. A voice from heaven responded, which the crowd heard but misunderstood as either thunder or an angel speaking, reflecting the cultural context of first-century Judaism where divine signs were expected but often interpreted through personal biases. This event highlights how people in that era, influenced by their religious traditions, frequently failed to recognize God's direct intervention.
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