The Skeptics Annotated Bible (850 page)

25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free.

(8.32) “The truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 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.

40 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.

(8.40)
“Now ye seek to kill me, a man.”
349 Is Jesus God?

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him,
We be not born of fornication
; we have one Father, even God.

(8.41) “We be not born of fornication” —implying that Jesus was.

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.

(8.42) “Jesus said … If God were your Father, ye would love 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.

(8.44a) “Ye are of your father the devil.”

(8.44b)
“There is no truth in him
[the devil]
.”
If so, then why did the devils call Jesus “the Christ, Son of God”? (Mt 8.29, Lk 4.41) Were they lying then too?

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?

47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51 Verily, verily, I say unto you,
If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

(8.51) “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
24 Must everyone die?

52
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.

(8.52)
“Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil.”
After Jesus makes the foolish claim that those who believe in him will never die, his listeners reply, “now we know that thou hast a devil.”

53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: