Were filled with madness - Probably,
- Because he had shown his “power” to work a miracle.
- Because he had shown his power to do it “contrary” to what “they” thought was right.
- Because by doing it he had shown that he was from “God,” and that “they” were therefore “wrong” in their views of the Sabbath. And,
- Because he had shown no respect “to their views” of what the law of God demanded.
Pride, obstinacy, malice, and disappointed self-confidence were “all” combined, therefore, in producing madness. Nor were they alone. Men are often enraged because others do good in a way which “they” do not approve of. God gives success to others; and because he has not accommodated himself to “their” views of what is right, and done it in the way which “they” would have prescribed, they are enraged, and filled with envy at people more successful than themselves.
Communed one with another - Spoke together, or laid a plan.