King James Version

What Does John 8:44 Mean?

John 8:44 in the King James Version says “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abod... — study this verse from John chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. of his own: or, from his own will or disposition

John 8:44 · KJV


Context

42

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44

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. of his own: or, from his own will or disposition

45

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Christ's stark declaration that unbelieving Jews are 'of your father the devil' shocks modern readers but reveals spiritual paternity—children resemble their father. The devil is a 'murderer from the beginning' (referencing Cain and ultimately all death through sin) and the 'father of lies'. This establishes two families: God's children who love truth, and Satan's children who embrace lies. The harsh language shows the seriousness of rejecting Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jews claimed Abraham as father (v. 39); Jesus says spiritual lineage is proven by deeds, not genetics (v. 39-40). This challenged first-century Judaism's assumption that Abrahamic descent guaranteed God's favor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your attitudes and actions reveal whether you are God's child or still in darkness?
  2. Why is it important to understand there are only two spiritual families?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 46 words
ὑμεῖς1 of 46

Ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐκ2 of 46

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πατὴρ3 of 46

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

τοῦ4 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διαβόλου5 of 46

the devil

G1228

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

ἐστὲ6 of 46

are

G2075

ye are

καὶ7 of 46

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς8 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπιθυμίας9 of 46

the lusts

G1939

a longing (especially for what is forbidden)

τοῦ10 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ11 of 46

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ὑμῶν12 of 46

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

θέλετε13 of 46

ye will

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ποιεῖν14 of 46

do

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐκεῖνος15 of 46

He

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἀνθρωποκτόνος16 of 46

a murderer

G443

a manslayer

ἦν17 of 46

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἀπ'18 of 46

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἀρχῆς19 of 46

the beginning

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

καὶ20 of 46

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν21 of 46

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ22 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλήθεια23 of 46

the truth

G225

truth

οὐκ24 of 46

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστηκεν25 of 46

abode

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ὅτι26 of 46

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ27 of 46

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐστὶν28 of 46

he is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἀλήθεια29 of 46

the truth

G225

truth

ἐν30 of 46

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῦ31 of 46

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅταν32 of 46

When

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

λαλεῖ33 of 46

he speaketh

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

τὸ34 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ψεῦδος35 of 46

a lie

G5579

a falsehood

ἐκ36 of 46

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν37 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίων38 of 46

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

λαλεῖ39 of 46

he speaketh

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὅτι40 of 46

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ψεύστης41 of 46

a liar

G5583

a falsifier

ἐστὶν42 of 46

he is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶ43 of 46

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

44 of 46
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ45 of 46

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτοῦ46 of 46

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 8:44 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 8:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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