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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:38-47

Here Christ and the Jews are still at issue; he sets himself to convince and convert them, while they still set themselves to contradict and oppose him. I. He here traces the difference between his sentiments and theirs to a different rise and origin (John 8:38): I speak that which I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. Here are two fathers spoken of, according to the two families into which the sons of men are divided?God and the devil, and without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil ,.... Not of his substance, but by imitation and example; and as being under his authority and influence, his instructions and directions, and ready to follow after him, and obey his commands; the word "your" is rightly supplied, and is in some copies: and the lusts of your father ye will do ; the Syriac and Persic versions read in the singular number, "the lust", or "desire of your father"; by which may be particularly meant, his eager desire after the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil - Ye are the seed of the old serpent. See on John 8:37 ; (note). The lusts of your father - Like father like son. What Satan desires, ye desire; because ye are filled with his nature. Awful state of unregenerate men! They have the nearest alliance to Satan; they partake of his nature and have in them the same principles and propensities which characterize the very nature and essence of the devil! Reader, canst thou rest in this state? Apply to God,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:44

Verse 44 44.You are of your father the devil. What he had twice said more obscurely, he now expresses more fully, that they are the devil ’s children But we must supply the contrast, that they could not cherish such intense hatred to the Son of God, were it not that they had for their father the perpetual enemy of God. He calls them children of the devil, not only because they imitate him, but because they are led by his instigation to fight against Christ. For as we are called the children of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:31-59

describe a further conversation, not with the same audience. The words record a vivid conflict between the Lord and the Jews who believed him, who accepted the Messianic claims, but persisted in interpreting them, not by his word, but by their own ideas of the theocratic kingdom, by their privileges as children of Abraham, by their national animosity to their nearest neighbours the Samaritans, by their inability to press behind the veil of his humanity to his Divine nature. Their faith was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:33-46

(5) The offer of spiritual freedom to the seed of Abraham provoked bitter hostility and misapprehension. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:37-47

The spiritual parentage of the faithless Jews. Jesus does not deny their legitimate descent from Abraham. Truth must be conceded to an adversary. I. THEIR MORAL PARENTAGE CANNOT BE TRACED TO ABRAHAM . "But ye seek to kill me, because my Word makes no progress in you." 1 . Our Lord concedes that his Word had somehow made an entrance, but national prejudices hindered its thorough acceptance in heart as well as mind. 2 . The explanation of the resistance given... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:41-47

True spiritual paternity. Notice— I. THEIR MISTAKEN SPIRITUAL PATERNITY . "We have one Father, even God." This in a sense is true. 1 . They failed to recognize his connection with God. 2 . They failed to understand his message. Although 3 . They failed to believe him and his message. Although: 4 . These sad failures flatly contradict their pretended relationship to God. ( John 8:42-47 .) II. THEIR TRUE SPIRITUAL PATERNITY . "Ye are of your... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:44

Ye are of the father who is the devil. In this way the great bulk of the best commentators translate this difficult clause, Hilgenfeld, Volkmar, and Davidson translate, "You are of the father of the devil;" and suggest that here the evangelist betrays his fierce Gnostic (Ophite) antagonism to the Jews, and adopts the view that the God of the Old Testament, the "Creator," was the Father of the serpent. This is surely untenable. The Creator of all things, in the prologue, is none other than... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil - That is, you have the temper, disposition, or spirit of the devil. You are influenced by him, you imitate him, and ought therefore to be called his children. See also 1 John 3:8-10; Acts 13:10; “Thou child of the devil.”The devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:1.The lusts - The desires or the wishes. You do what pleases him.Ye will do - The word “will,” here, is not an auxiliary verb. It does not simply express futurity, or that such a thing will take place, but... read more

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