John 8:48 Commentary and Bible Study

This is their most unreasonable response. They call him a Samaritan which was the highest insult they could think of. Why do they call him a Samaritan? Well, because the Samaritans deny that the Jews came exclusively from Abraham. ‘And so, you are as bad as the Samaritans – you are denying us our national pride, our national identity, and you have a devil – a demon.’ Demons were regarded as lying spirits. ‘You’re lying,’ they say to Him. At the end of the chapter, ‘They took up stones to cast at him.’ So there is just a jibe in return, shouted out from that balcony, so that the thousands would hear. Astonishing! This is the great discourse of Christ, interrupted by the Pharisees, and the interaction between the Lord and the Pharisees: the belief of some of them, and their ultimate rejection of him. Throughout, he is perfect in behaviour and disposition. He is very, very firm with them. He tells them the truth. He gives them the warning. He shows them the way into the kingdom of God. But through all, he is perfect, our Lord, our Saviour.