Samaritan

"You are a Samaritan"

JOHN 8 COMMENTARY ◄
John 8:43-47 Your father is the devil

John 8:48-55 Samaritan

JOHN 8:48 48 The Jews then answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

How do the Jews respond to Jesus?
They suggest, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” in John 8:48, and then turn it into a declaration in John 8:52 (below): “Now we know that You have a demon!”

Why do they call Jesus a “Samaritan ” in John 8:48?
Samaritans were half-breeds born outside the Jewish race. Calling a Jew “Samaritan” was a racist insult (see Samaria and 2 Kings 17).

What is the more serious sin the Jews committed against Jesus above?
Blasphemously telling the Holy God that He has a “demon” (John 8:48).

What could Jesus have done instead of responding to them?
Strike them dead on the spot as Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for their arguably far lesser sins of lying to God about money.

When were the blasphemous unbelieving Jews struck dead and cast into hell?
After their hatred of Jesus had been leveraged to affect His death on the cross to pay the death penalty due for the sins of those who believe in Him.

JOHN 8:49-51 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My glory; there is One seeking and judging. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death.”

Who is the “One” (John 8:50) who seeks glory for Jesus that He doesn't seek for Himself?
God the Father.

What will happen to those who “dishonor” (John 8:49) Jesus?
God the Father will be “judging” (John 8:50) them?

What did Jesus mean by “death” (John 8:51)?
The everlasting spiritual death in the fire of hell.

JOHN 8:52-55 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets also. You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. The One glorifying Me is My Father, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I would be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.

Why do the Jews keep bringing up “Abraham” (John 8:52)?
Abraham, whom God used to found the Hebrew nation, was their most revered Patriarch. They think Jesus is talking about physical death and are saying that even Abraham, as well as all of “the prophets” (John 8:53) are dead, and asking Jesus if He is “greater than our father Abraham, who died?” (John 8:53).

Did Jesus compare Himself to Abraham and the prophets of the Old Testament?
Instead of comparing Himself to mere creatures, He referenced His co-Creator, whom they claim to know but do not: “The One glorifying Me is My Father, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' Yet you have not known Him” (John 8:54-55).