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John 8:52

in John 8

“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.

KJV

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

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This verse in John 8

Commentary

18 notes on this verse
Abraham died and the prophets died and THOU sayest, If any keep My saying, he shall not taste death for ever. When the all-daring folk of the Jews, lying against their own head, say to the Saviour, Thou hast a devil, they want to indicate nothing else than, Thou makest Thyself God, as having put about Him the honour and glory due to the Divine Nature: for such is the practice of devils as we have said before also.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers5 voices

A commentator

Augustine of Hippo

Tractates on John 43 · Written before 430.

proposed

Let us not be frightened at that other death, but let us fear this one. But, what is very grievous, many, through a perverse fear of that other, have fallen into this. It has been said to some, Adore idols; for if you do it not, you shall be put to death. Many feared and adored. Shrinking from death, they died. Through fear of the death which cannot be escaped, they fell into that which they might happily have escaped, had they not, unhappily, been afraid of that which is inevitable. As a man, thou art born-art destined to die. Whither wilt thou go to escape death? What wilt thou do to escape it? But those men, indignant, yet dead, and predestinated to death eternal, answered with insults, and said, "Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets." But not in that death which the Lord meant to be understood was either Abraham dead or the prophets. For these were dead, and yet they live: those others were alive, and yet they had died. For, replying in a certain place to the Sadducees, when they stirred the question of the resurrection, the Lord Himself speaks thus: "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read how the Lord said to Moses from the bush, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." If, then, they live, let us labor so to live, that after death we may be able to live with them.

A commentator

Origen of Alexandria

COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.378-80 · Written before 253.

proposed

The majority, even of the wise, think that every kind of sin, of which one form is also the sin against reason, has no other source than mistaken judgments. But those who have believed in the holy Scriptures as divine think that the things people do contrary to right reason are not accomplished apart from demons or some such hostile powers. The Jews, too, therefore, assumed that it was the result of the activity of a demon that Jesus said, "Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone shall keep my word, he will not see death forever." And they had this impression because they had neither kept the word nor perceived the meaning of what was said. For here he was speaking of the death of those who are at enmity with the Word [or reason] who die forever because they do not keep his word. But they think he is talking about that death which is common to all, and so when he says that everyone who has kept his word will not die forever, [they think that he] has lost his wits, since Abraham and the prophets died.

A commentator

Origen of Alexandria

COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.413 · Written before 253.

proposed

There is a difference between tasting death and seeing death. The Jews, as unintelligent hearers, confused the saying of the Lord and instead of "he will not see death" said "He will not taste death."

A commentator

Cyril of Alexandria

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 6 · Written before 444.

proposed

The Jews said to Him, Now we know that Thou hast a devil. They again accuse the Truth who when called liars take it ill as though they were insulted: yet do they bear witness even against their will to the Saviour's words and whereby they dishonour Him, by these very same words they show that He is unlying. But blind are these wretched ones and they have their heart replete with so great unlearning as not even to think that they ought to wipe off those charges about which they were accused, but even to fall into evils worse than the past ones and to be caught in their own toils. For see, see by what things they think to excuse themselves as though not in vain they had railed against Him, through these they are the more convicted of being liars and are the faster holden (so to say) in the bonds of their own sins. In most utter folly too do they here say, Now we know: for they who had full often bayed against Him and declared that He hath a devil, say that now they know it, condemning their preceding unbridledness of tongue. For if now they know it, formerly they did not know it: how then did they say that He had a devil who was not yet (as themselves deemed) condemned? A liar therefore long before too was the impious people of the Jews and with unbridled tongue did it use to belch out the devil's malice against Christ. They seize hold for the confirmation of their own idle speech on what was spoken by our Saviour Christ, for their much madness thinking (it seems) that the truth would aid a lie. Next by what means it was in their power to learn that they are transgressing impiously, madly insulting the Giver of everlasting life: they see not that by these very means they are advancing unto intensity of the disease. For they count that it is fit not only not to repent of those things, but they even say that they are persuaded that such is the truth... […]

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on the Gospel of John 55 · Written before 407.

proposed

"Now we know that thou hast a devil; Abraham is dead, and the Prophets are dead." That is, "they who heard the word of God are dead, and shall they who have heard thine not die?" "Art thou greater than our father Abraham?" Alas for their vainglory! Again do they betake themselves to his relationship. Yet it would have been suitable to say, "Art thou greater than God? or they who have heard thee than Abraham?" But they say not this, because they thought that He was even less than Abraham. At first, therefore, He showed that they were murderers, and so led them away from the relationship; but when they persevered, He contrived this in another way, showing that they labored uselessly. And concerning the "death," He said nothing to them, neither did He reveal or tell them what kind of death He meant, but in the meantime He would have them believe, that He is greater than Abraham, that even by this He may put them to shame. "Certainly," He saith, "were I a common man I ought not to die, having done no wrong; but when I speak the truth, and have no sin, am sent from God, and am greater than Abraham, are ye not mad, do ye not labor in vain when ye attempt to kill Me?" What then is their reply? "Now we know that thou hast a devil." Not so spake the woman of Samaria. She said not to Him, "Thou hast a devil"; but only, "Art thou greater than our father Jacob?" For these men were insolent and accursed, while she desired to learn; wherefore she doubted and answered with proper moderation, and called Him, "Lord." For one who promised far greater things, and who was worthy of credit, ought not to have been insulted, but even admired; yet these men said that He had a devil. Those expressions of the Samaritan woman were those of one in doubt; these were the words of men unbelieving and perverse. […]
12 more voices on this verse

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on the Gospel of John 55 · Written before 407.

proposed

What then is their reply? "Now we know that thou hast a devil." Not so spake the woman of Samaria. She said not to Him, "Thou hast a devil"; but only, "Art thou greater than our father Jacob?" For these men were insolent and accursed, while she desired to learn; wherefore she doubted and answered with proper moderation, and called Him, "Lord." For one who promised far greater things, and who was worthy of credit, ought not to have been insulted, but even admired; yet these men said that He had a devil. Those expressions of the Samaritan woman were those of one in doubt; these were the words of men unbelieving and perverse.

The Medieval Church5 voices

A commentator

Bonaventure

Commentary on John, Chapter 8 · Written in the 13th century.

proposed

"The Jews therefore said." Here secondly, as the Jews attack, he shows his excellence, which they assail as he teaches: whence they say: "Now we know that you have a demon": they could not recognize the good, but were ready for evil: Jeremiah 4: "They …

A commentator

Gregory the Dialogist

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 604.

proposed

(ut sup.) As it is necessary that the good should grow better by contumely, so are the reprobate made worse by kindness. On hearing our Lord's words, the Jews again blaspheme: Then said the Jews unto Him, Now we know Thou hast a devil.

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on John · Written before 1274.

proposed

Next we see the opposition of the Jews being repelled. They oppose Christ in three ways: first, by accusing him of making a false statement; secondly, by their derision (v 57); and thirdly by assaulting him (v 59). As to the first, there are two …

A commentator

Bede

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 735.

proposed

Whom makest Thou Thyself? i. e. Of what merit, of what dignity wouldest Thou be accounted? Nevertheless, Abraham only died in the body; his soul lived. And the death of the soul which is to live for ever, is greater than the death of the body that must die some time. He shows in these words that the glory of this present life is nothing.

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on John · Written before 1107.

proposed

What then do the Jews say to this? They consider Him to be demon-possessed, as if He were speaking some strange things due to a derangement of mind. Abraham and the prophets, who heard the words of God, died, so how will Your listeners not …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Then said the Jews unto him,....

The Nineteenth Century5 voices

Hast a devil - Art deranged. Because he affirmed a thing which they supposed to be contrary to all experience, and to be impossible.
There is one who demands it, and he also judges. I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death." Then the Jewish people who had been listening to him responded, "Now we know you’re possessed by a demon! Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘If anyone obeys my teaching, he will never taste of death.’ You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?" Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless.
There is one who demands it, and he also judges. I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death." Then the Jewish people who had been listening to him responded, "Now we know you’re possessed by a demon! Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘If anyone obeys my teaching, he will never taste of death.’ You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?" Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, ‘He is our God.’ Yet you do not know him, but I know him. If I say that I do not know him, I will be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his teaching. Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad." Then the Jewish people who had been listening to him replied, "You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!" Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area. We should observe, first, in this passage, what blasphemous and slanderous language was addressed to our Lord by His enemies. We read that the Jews "Aren't we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?" Silenced in argument, these wicked men resorted to personal abuse . To lose temper, and call names, is a common sign of a defeated cause. Nicknames, insulting epithets, and violent language, are favorite weapons with the devil. When other means of carrying on his warfare fail, he stirs up his servants to smite with the tongue. Grievous indeed are the sufferings which the saints of God have had to endure from the tongue in every age. Their characters have been slandered.
IN the previous part of this chapter we hear the Jews, with malicious voices, assailing our blessed Lord with this bitter question, "Say we not well that You are a Samaritan, and have a devil?" How very quietly the Savior answered them! He did answer them because He judged it necessary to do so, but He did so with great patience and with sound argument—"I have not a devil; but I honor My Father." Clear proof, this!
IN the previous part of this chapter we hear the Jews, with malicious voices, assailing our blessed Lord with this bitter question, "Say we not well that You are a Samaritan, and have a devil?" How very quietly the Savior answered them! He did answer them because He judged it necessary to do so, but He did so with great patience and with sound argument—"I have not a devil; but I honor My Father." Clear proof, this! No man can be said to have a devil who honors God, for the evil spirit from the beginning has been the enemy of all that glorifies the Father! Paul, who had not read this passage—for the Gospel of John was not written then—was nevertheless so filled with his Master's spirit that he answered after a like manner when Festus said, "Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad." He calmly replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." This was a fine copy of our Savior's gentle and forcible reply—"I have not a devil; but I honor My Father." Brethren, whenever you are falsely accused and an evil name is hurled at you, if you must reply, "give a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Be not heated and hurried, for if so, you will lose strength and will be apt to err. Let your Lord be your model. The false charge was the occasion of our Lord's uttering a great Truth of God. On they rush, furious in their rage, but He flashes in their faces the light of Truth. To put down error, lift up Truth! Thus their deadly saying was met by a living saying—"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keeps My saying, he shall never see death." Nothing so baffles the adversaries of the faith as to utter with unshaken confidence the Truth of God. The Truth which Jesus stated was full of promise and if they willfully rejected His promise, it became worse to them than a threat.

The words behind it

31 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Matthew 16:28Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”18 worksJohn 10:20Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”5 worksHebrews 12:3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.4 worksHebrews 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.4 worksJohn 7:20“You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”4 worksJohn 8:22So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
John 8:48The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”4 worksJohn 9:24So a second time they called for the man who had been blind and said, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.”3 worksJohn 8:51Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”3 worksMatthew 10:25It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!3 worksProverbs 23:9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.3 worksLuke 11:15but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”3 worksMark 3:22And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.”3 worksHebrews 11:13All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.2 worksZechariah 1:5–6Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever?2 worksLuke 7:33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’2 worksActs 26:24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”2 worksIsaiah 59:15Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.1 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    John 8:51

    Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”

    it leads to

    • John 11:25–26

      Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

    • John 5:24

      Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

    • John 3:15–16

      that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

    • John 15:20

      Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours…

    • John 6:50

      This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die.

  • Through

    Hebrews 2:9

    But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death…

    it leads to

    • Philippians 2:7–9

      but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

    • Revelation 5:9

      And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and…

  • Through

    Hebrews 11:13

    All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the…

    it leads to

    • Psalms 39:12

      Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.

Where this verse is studied

About John

Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery — Gustave Doré (engraving), public domain
Jesus and the Woman Taken in Adultery — Gustave Doré (engraving), public domain
John: the study guide →Read John 8 →
This page draws on 14 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John 43; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on John, Chapter 8; Charles Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2169: “The Man Who Shall Never See Death” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition); Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 6; Gregory the Dialogist, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of John 55; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.378-80; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.413; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on John and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on John.

Read on in John 8 →