03/14/2026

 

Samuel Clifford

 

“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 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. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” John 8:39-50 KJV

 

The dialogue in John 8:39–50 (KJV) records a sharp exchange between Jesus and His Jewish interlocutors. They appeal to Abraham as their father, yet Jesus challenges the validity of that claim by contrasting their intentions with Abraham’s deeds. Jeffrey Siker, writing from a Replacement Theology perspective, argues that the distinction between sperma Abraam (“descendants of Abraham”) and tekna Abraam (“children of Abraham”) is central to the dispute in this passage. He notes that the opponents of Jesus identify themselves as Abraham’s sperma (8:33), a point Jesus acknowledges (8:37). However, Siker maintains that Jesus’ refusal to call them Abraham’s tekna (8:39) amounts to a denial that Abraham is their father “in any meaningful way.” He further connects John 8:39 with John 1:12, suggesting that in Johannine theology, being a “child of Abraham” and being a “child of God” are essentially equivalent categories. Thus, for Siker, those who believe in Christ, regardless of ethnic lineage, become both God’s children and Abraham’s true children, while unbelieving Jews are aligned with the devil (8:44) and therefore lack any legitimate claim to Abrahamic sonship.

 

Several clarifications are necessary. First, the Greek text of John 8:44 does not use the term tekna (“children”), contrary to Siker’s assertion. The phrase is humeis ek tou patros tou diabolou este—“you are of your father, the devil.” Second, it is overstated to claim that Jesus denies Abrahamic paternity to His opponents in every sense. In verse 56, Jesus explicitly refers to Abraham as “your father,” indicating that some form of Abrahamic identity remains intact. While John’s Gospel does not describe unbelieving Jews as “children of God” (1:12) or as spiritual “children of Abraham,” it still acknowledges a real, though limited, connection to Abraham.

 

There's one good reference for "children of God" to show Israelites are called that in the Book of John.

"51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." - John 11:51-52

 

The Children of God scattered abroad are the Jews in the Dispersion of Babylon and Assyria. Hence they are still identified as such.

 

When modern scholars evaluate alleged anti-Judaic elements in the Fourth Gospel, it is important to recall that the Hebrew Scriptures themselves restrict the title “children of God” to those who obey the covenant (Deut. 14:1; cf. 32:5). The issue in John is therefore not ethnicity but fidelity to God’s revelation in Christ. If Jesus is indeed the Messiah, as the Gospel claims (20:30–31), then rejecting Him constitutes covenantal disobedience, which explains the language of John 8:44 without implying ethnic hostility. Moreover, Jesus’ opponents also accuse Him of having a demon (8:52), demonstrating that the harsh rhetoric is mutual and reflects the polemical style of the period.

 

A broader look at Johannine literature confirms that the categories “children of God” and “children of the devil” are universal, not ethnically targeted. In 1 John 3:10, all humanity is divided into these two groups based on whether they are “born of God” (3:9). Later, John states that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (5:19), showing that the terminology applies to all unbelievers, not specifically to Jews. Even the Synoptic Gospels record Jesus using severe language toward His own disciples; in Matthew 16:23, He calls Peter “Satan.”

 

John’s Gospel also contains some of the most positive statements about the Jewish people. In John 4, Jesus identifies Himself as a Jew (4:9), and He affirms that “salvation is from the Jews” (4:22), attributing to them a unique knowledge of God. Only as a Jew could Jesus fulfill His saving mission (4:42). Thus, the Gospel that most clearly proclaims the incarnation (1:14; 16:28) also affirms the indispensable role of the Jewish people in God’s redemptive plan.

 

NASB Version of the Text:

 

“They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 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. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭39‬-‭50‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬