John 8:42-44

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 8:42

Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father ,.... By adoption; and this was discovered by the grace of regeneration; or in other words, if they had been born of God, ye would love me ; for in regeneration love to Christ is always implanted: it is a fruit of the Spirit, which always comes along with the superabounding grace of God in conversion; whoever are begotten again, according to abundant mercy, love an unseen Jesus; and where there is no love to Christ, there can be no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech ?.... Language, idiom, dialect, and form of speaking, in a figurative way; for they did not know what he meant by liberty, and bondage, and by having another father than Abraham, or by his own procession and coming forth from God: even because ye cannot hear my word ; as they had no spiritual discerning and understanding of the doctrine of Christ, which showed them to be carnal, and natural men, and not regenerate ones, and the children of God; so... 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 8:42

If God were your Father, ye would love me - I came from God, and it would be absurd to suppose that you would persecute me if you were under the influence of God. The children of the same father should not murder each other. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech? - Την λαλιαν την εμην , This my mode of speaking - when illustrating spiritual by natural things: λαλια refers to the manner of speaking; λογος , to the matter or subject on which he spoke. For λαλιαν , the Codex Bezae had originally αληθειαν : why do ye not acknowledge this Truth of mine? A few other MSS. agree in this reading. Because ye cannot hear my word - That is, ye cannot bear my doctrine: it comes too close to you; it searches your... 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 8:42

Verse 42 42.If God were your Father, you would love me. Christ’s argument is this: “Whoever is a child of God will acknowledge his first-born Son; but you hate me, and therefore you have no reason to boast, that you are God’s children.” We ought carefully to observe this passage, that there is no piety and no fear of God where Christ is rejected. Hypocritical religion, indeed, presumptuously shelters itself under the name of God; but how can they agree with the Father who disagree with his only... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:43

Verse 43 43.Why do you not understand my language? In this passage, he reproaches the Jews with their obstinacy, which was so great, that they could not even endure to hear him speak Hence he infers, that they are actuated and hurried away by diabolical rage. Some make a distinction here between language and speech, as if speech had a more extensive meaning; but I do not see it; (239) and besides, it would not be appropriate that the word which means less should be placed first. Many point this... 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

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