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Contemporary English Version

John 8:44

Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Falsehood;   Liars;   Lust;   Malice;   Satan;   Self-Righteousness;   Sin;   Truth;   Wicked (People);   Scofield Reference Index - Satan;   Thompson Chain Reference - Adversary;   Children;   Devil;   Names;   Righteous-Wicked;   Satan;   Satan's;   Satan-Evil Spirits;   Serpent;   Tempter;   Titles and Names;   Work, Satan's;   The Topic Concordance - Devil/devils;   Jesus Christ;   Lying/lies;   Truth;   Unbelief;   Understanding;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Deceit;   Devil, the;   Lying;   Murder;   Sin;   Titles and Names of the Devil;   Truth;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Devil;   Murder;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abraham;   John, gospel of;   Lie;   Race;   Satan;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Lie, Lying;   Murder;   Satan;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Death;   Devil;   Fall of Man;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Lie;   Murder;   Serpent;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abaddon;   Angels;   Cain (1);   Devil;   Divination;   Father;   Murder;   Redeemer;   Satan;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Concupiscence;   Devil;   Slander;   Works;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abel;   Devil;   Evil;   Leasing;   Lie, Lying;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Marriage;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abel ;   Above and below;   Adam;   Authority in Religion;   Children of God;   Consciousness;   Death of Christ;   Deceit, Deception, Guile;   Demon, Demoniacal Possession, Demoniacs;   Desire;   Ear (2);   Endurance;   Error;   Evil (2);   Fall;   Fierceness;   Hagar ;   Humanity of Christ;   Hypocrisy;   Individuality;   Judging (by Men);   Light;   Lust;   Lust (2);   Man;   Murder (2);   Obedience (2);   Old Testament (Ii. Christ as Student and Interpreter of).;   Pharisees (2);   Satan (2);   Simple, Simplicity ;   Sin;   Sin (2);   Vengeance (2);   Will;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Father;   Leasing;   38 Murderer Manslayer Assassin;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Devil;   Father;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Devil;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Father;   Manichaeans;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Temptation, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Body;   Children of God;   Death;   Fall, the;   Father;   Heredity;   Lie;   Lust;   Murder;   Psychology;   Satan;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Adam;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Death, Views and Customs Concerning;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for November 21;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Your father is the devil. You belong to him. You want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ye are of youre father the devyll and the lustes of youre father ye will folowe. He was a murtherer from the beginnynge and aboode not in the trueth because ther is no trueth in him. When he speaketh a lye then speaketh he of his awne. For he is a lyar and the father therof.
Hebrew Names Version
You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
International Standard Version
You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has never stood by the truth,stood by the truth">[fn] since there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie he speaks in character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.Matthew 13:38; 1 John 3:8; Jude 1:6;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
New Century Version
You belong to your father the devil, and you want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning and was against the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he shows what he is really like, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Update Bible Version
You are of the father the devil, and the desires of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Webster's Bible Translation
Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
English Standard Version
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
World English Bible
You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Ye are of your father the devil, and your will is, to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth; for there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Weymouth's New Testament
The father whose sons you are is the Devil; and you desire to do what gives him pleasure. *He* was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth--for there is no truth in him. Whenever he utters his lie, he utters it out of his own store; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Ye ben of the fadir, the deuel, and ye wolen do the desyris of youre fadir. He was a mansleere fro the bigynnyng, and he stood not in treuthe; for treuthe is not in hym. Whanne he spekith lesyng, he spekith of his owne; for he is a liere, and fadir of it.
English Revised Version
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Berean Standard Bible
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Amplified Bible
"You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.
American Standard Version
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Bible in Basic English
You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false.
Complete Jewish Bible
You belong to your father, Satan, and you want to carry out your father's desires. From the start he was a murderer, and he has never stood by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is speaking in character; because he is a liar — indeed, the inventor of the lie!
Darby Translation
Ye are of the devil, as [your] father, and ye desire to do the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks falsehood, he speaks of what is his own; for he is a liar and its father:
Etheridge Translation
You are from your father the accuser, and the desires of your father you are willing to do. He from the beginning was the killer of men, and in the truth he stood not; therefore the truth is not in him. And when he speaketh a lie, of his own he speaketh, because of falsity he is also the father.
Murdock Translation
Ye are of your father, the calumniator; and the lust of your father ye are disposed to do. He was from the beginning a manslayer, and abode not in the truth; for the truth is not in him, and when he speaketh a lie he speaketh from himself, for he is a liar, and the father of it.
King James Version (1611)
Ye are of your father the deuill, and the lusts of your father ye will doe: hee was a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the trueth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his owne: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
New Living Translation
For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
New Life Bible
The devil is your father. You are from him. You want to do the sinful things your father, the devil, wants you to do. He has been a killer from the beginning. The devil has nothing to do with the truth. There is no truth in him. It is expected of the devil to lie, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
New Revised Standard
You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Ye are of your father the deuill, and the lustes of your father ye will doe: hee hath bene a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the trueth, because there is no trueth in him. When hee speaketh a lie, then speaketh hee of his owne: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
George Lamsa Translation
You are from the father of accusation, and you want to do the lusts of your father, he who is a murderer of men from the very beginning and who never stands by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks he speaks his own lie, because he is a liar, and the father of it.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Ye, are, of your father - the adversary, and, the covetings of your father, ye choose to be doing. He, was, a murderer, from the beginning, and, in the truth, he stood not; because truth is not in him: Whensoever he speaketh falsehood, of his own, he speaketh; because, false, he is, and, the father of it.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Revised Standard Version
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye are of your father the deuyll, and the lustes of your father wyll ye do. He was a murtherer from the begynnyng, and abode not in the trueth: because there is no trueth in hym. When he speaketh a lye, he speaketh of his owne: For he is a lyer, and the father of the same thyng.
Good News Translation
You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies.
Christian Standard Bible®
You are of your father the devil,
King James Version
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Lexham English Bible
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Literal Translation
You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you desire to do. That one was a murderer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaksfrom his own, because he is a liar, and the father of it.
Young's Literal Translation
`Ye are of a father -- the devil, and the desires of your father ye will to do; he was a man-slayer from the beginning, and in the truth he hath not stood, because there is no truth in him; when one may speak the falsehood, of his own he speaketh, because he is a liar -- also his father.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ye are of the father the deuell, and after the lustes of youre father wyl ye do. The same was a murthurer from the begynnynge, and abode not in the trueth: for the trueth is not in him. Whan he speaketh a lye, then speaketh he of his awne: for he is a lyar, and a father of the same.
Mace New Testament (1729)
you, who have the devil for your father, will execute the designs of your father: he was a murderer from the beginning, and deserted the truth, since he has no love for the truth: when he lyes, he speaks like himself: for he is a lyar, and the father of a lyar.
New English Translation
You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
New King James Version
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Simplified Cowboy Version
No, the reason you don't understand me is because your real father is the devil. He wants to kill me and so do y'all. He was a murderer in the beginning, and his bastard children act just like him. He has always despised the truth because he couldn't handle it. He lies because it's who he is. He is the father of lies.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Legacy Standard Bible
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Contextual Overview

38 I am telling you what my Father has shown me, just as you are doing what your father has taught you. 39 The people said to Jesus, "Abraham is our father!" Jesus replied, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did. 40 Instead, you want to kill me for telling you the truth that God gave me. Abraham never did anything like that. 41 But you are doing exactly what your father does." "Don't accuse us of having someone else as our father!" they said. "We just have one father, and he is God." 42 Jesus answered: If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and only from him. He sent me. I did not come on my own. 43 Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying? 44 Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies. 45 Everything I have told you is true, and you still refuse to have faith in me.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

are: John 8:38, John 8:41, John 6:70, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 13:38, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:8-10, 1 John 3:12

He was: Genesis 3:3-7, 1 Kings 22:22, 1 Chronicles 21:1, James 4:1-7, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 9:11, Revelation 13:6-8, Revelation 20:7-9

and abode: 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6

When: Genesis 3:4, Genesis 3:5, 2 Chronicles 18:20-22, Job 1:11, Job 2:4-6, Acts 5:3, Acts 13:10, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:2 - a keeper Genesis 4:9 - I know Genesis 4:20 - the Genesis 12:13 - Say Leviticus 6:2 - lie Leviticus 11:42 - goeth upon the belly Deuteronomy 13:13 - the children 2 Kings 5:22 - My master 2 Chronicles 18:21 - General Nehemiah 6:8 - thou feignest Job 24:13 - nor abide Psalms 31:18 - the lying Psalms 52:3 - lying Psalms 62:4 - delight Proverbs 6:17 - lying Proverbs 26:28 - lying Proverbs 30:15 - The horseleach Ezekiel 16:3 - Thy birth Matthew 3:7 - O generation Matthew 5:37 - cometh Matthew 12:34 - generation Matthew 13:15 - ears Matthew 23:15 - ye make Matthew 23:33 - serpents Matthew 25:41 - prepared Mark 5:5 - crying Mark 5:13 - the herd Mark 9:20 - the spirit Luke 3:7 - O generation Luke 4:6 - All Luke 8:33 - the herd Luke 9:39 - lo Luke 11:29 - This is Luke 13:16 - whom John 3:19 - because John 8:55 - shall Acts 24:9 - General Ephesians 2:2 - the prince Ephesians 2:3 - in the Ephesians 4:25 - putting Colossians 3:9 - Lie 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - from 1 Timothy 1:10 - for liars James 3:15 - devilish 1 John 1:6 - we lie 1 John 2:22 - Who 1 John 3:10 - and Revelation 12:4 - the dragon Revelation 12:17 - the dragon Revelation 16:14 - the spirits

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 death of Christ, which he showed at different times; he instigated Herod to seek to destroy his life in his infancy, and when he was just entering on his public ministry, he tempted him to destroy himself; and often stirred up the Scribes and Pharisees, to stone him or kill him, some other way; and at last put it into the heart of one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, to betray him: this looks as if though the devil had a notion of the salvation of men by Christ, yet that he thought, as some erroneous men have also done, that it was only by his doctrine and example, and therefore he was in haste to get him out of the world, that he might not be useful, or any more so that way; and not by the shedding of his blood, the sacrifice of himself, or by his sufferings and death, in the room of sinners; or otherwise it is scarcely credible, that he would have sought his death so earnestly: now this selfsame lust and insatiable desire after the death of Christ prevailed in the Jews; and they were resolute and bent upon fulfilling it at any rate, nor could anything divert them from it; this is the thing Christ is speaking of in the context, and is what fully proved the devil to be their father, and them to be his children:

he was a murderer from the beginning; he was not only spoken of from the beginning, as he that should bruise the Messiah's heel, or should compass his death, but he was actually a murderer of Adam and Eve, and of all their posterity, by tempting them to sin, which brought death and ruin upon them; and who quickly after that instigated Cain to slay his brother; and has had, more or less, a concern in all murders committed since; and has been in all ages, and still is, a murderer of the souls of men; and therefore is rightly called Abaddon, and Apollyon, which signify the destroyer: the phrase, "from the beginning", does not intend the beginning of his own creation; for he was created a holy creature, was in the truth, though he abode not in it; and was in an happy state, though he lost it: nor strictly the beginning of time, or of the creation of the world, which were some days at least before the fall of man, when the devil commenced a murderer; but it being very near it, therefore this phrase is made use of: the Syriac version renders it, "from Bereshith", which is the first word in the Hebrew Bible, and is frequently used by the Jewish Rabbins for the six days of the creation; and if Adam fell, as some think, the same day he was created, it might be properly said that the devil was a murderer from thence. Philo p speaks of Eve's serpent, as ανθρωπου φονωντα, "a murderer of man"; applying to this purpose the text before referred to, Genesis 3:15;

and abode not in the truth; neither in the integrity, innocence, and holiness, in which he was created; nor in veracity, or as a creature of veracity, but spake lies, and formed one, by which he deceived Eve, saying, "ye shall not surely die", Genesis 3:4, when God had said they should, Genesis 2:17; nor in the truth of the Gospel, which was at least in part made known unto him; particularly that the Son of God should become man, and in that nature be the head of angels and men: this he and his associates, in the pride of their hearts, not bearing that the human nature should be exalted above that of theirs, left their first estate, broke off their allegiance to God, and turned rebels against him:

because there is no truth in him; not that this is a reason why he continued not in the truth, for there was originally truth in him; though he abode not in it; but a reason, showing there was none in him now, since he was fallen from it, and abode not in it; there is no truth in him, that is natural and genuine, and essential to him; and if at any time he speaks it, it is not from his heart, but because he is forced to it, or has an evil design in it:

when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; that is genuine and natural, of his own devising, willing, and approving:

for he is a liar, and the father of it; he was a liar, as early as he was a murderer, or rather earlier; it was with a lie he deceived, and so murdered our first parents, and he has continued so ever since; he was the first author of a lie; the first lie that ever was told, was told by him; he was the first inventor of one; he was the first of that trade; in this sense the word "father" is used, Genesis 4:20; so the serpent is by the Cabalistic Jews q called, the lip of lie, or the lying lip.

p De Agricultura, p. 203. q Lex. Cabalist. p. 724.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 it implies an act of volitions. This you will or choose to do. The same mode of speech occurs in John 5:40. In what respects they showed that they were the children of the devil he proceeds to state:

1.In their murderous disposition;

2.In rejecting the truth;

3.In being favorable to falsehood and error.

He was a murderer from the beginning - That is, from the beginning of the world, or in the first records of him he is thus represented. This refers to the seduction of Adam and Eve. Death was denounced against sin, Genesis 2:17. The devil deceived our first parents, and they became subject to death, Genesis 3:0. As he was the cause why death came into the world, he may be said to have been a murderer in that act, or from the beginning. We see here that the tempter mentioned in Genesis 3:0 was Satan or the devil, who is here declared to have been the murderer. Compare Romans 5:12, and Revelation 12:9; “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” Besides, Satan has in all ages deceived men, and been the cause of their spiritual and eternal death. His work has been to destroy, and in the worst sense of the word he may be said to have been a murderer. It was by his instigation, also, that Cain killed his brother, 1 John 3:12; “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.” As the Jews endeavored to kill the Saviour, so they showed that they had the spirit of the devil.

Abode not in the truth - He departed from the truth, or was false and a liar.

No truth in him - That is, he is a liar. It is his nature and his work to deceive.

He speaketh of his own - The word “own” is in the plural number, and means of the things that are appropriate to him, or that belong to his nature. His speaking falsehood is originated by his own propensities or disposition; he utters the expressions of his genuine character.

He is a liar - As when he deceived Adam, and in his deceiving, as far as possible, the world, and dragging man down to perdition.

The father of it - The father or originator of falsehood. The word “it” refers to lie or falsehood understood. From him falsehood first proceeded, and all liars possess his spirit and are under his influence. As the Jews refused to hear the truth which Jesus spoke, so they showed that they were the children of the father of lies.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 44. Ye are of your father the devil — Ye are the seed of the old serpent. John 8:37.

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, through Christ, that thou mayest be born again.

He was a murderer from the beginning — It was through him that Adam transgressed; in consequence of which death entered into the world, and slew him and all his posterity. This was the sentiment of the Jews themselves. In Sohar Kadash, the wicked are called, "The children of the old serpent, who slew Adam and all his descendants." See Schoettgen.

Abode not in the truthHe stood not in the truth-was once in a state of glorious felicity, but fell from it; and, being deprived of all good himself, he could not endure that others should enjoy any; therefore by his lies he deceived Eve, and brought her, her husband, and, through them, their posterity, into his own condemnation.

He speaketh of his own — εκ των ιδιων λαλει, He speaketh of his own offspring, or, from his own disposition, for he is the father and fountain of all error and falsity; and all who are deceived by him, and partake of his disposition, falsity and cruelty, are his offspring, for he is a liar, and the father of it-καιοπατηρ αυτου-literally, his father also. There is considerable difficulty in this verse. The Cainites, and the Archontites, mentioned by Epiphanius, read it thus: "Ye are the children of your father the devil, because he is a liar, and his father was a liar. He was a man-slayer, and he did not remain in the truth. When he speaketh, he speaketh a lie of his own, (progenitors understood,) because his father also was a liar." The consequences which the above heretics drew from this verse were the following. They said that the father of the Jews was a demon; that he also had a demon for his father; and that he had a demon for his father, c. The Archontites maintained that Cain had a demon for his father, the spirit which our Lord speaks of here and that the Jews proceeded from the race of Cain.

Grotius, supposing that the devil who tempted Eve was not the prince of devils, but rather a subordinate one, seems to think he may be understood here, he is a liar, and his father also, which is the literal translation of the latter clause of the text, ωςκαιοπατηραυτου, as it has been read by many of the primitive fathers.

Mr. Wakefield, by changing το, before ψευδος, into τις, gives the text the following translation:- "The devil is your father, and ye willingly perform the lusts of your father. He was a man-slayer from the first, and continued not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When ANY ONE speaketh a lie, he speaketh according to his own kindred: for his father also is a liar." Our own translation, that refers πατηρ αυτου to ψευδος, a lie, and not to ψευστης, a liar, is probably the most correct.


 
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