John 8:44 · Bible study
John 8:44 Commentary: Study: The Devil as Murderer and Father of Lies
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Jesus' sharp declaration about the devil's character and spiritual paternity, with exegesis from commentators and original language analysis.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus declares that his opponents are children of the devil, who is a murderer and the source of all lies.
- Key words: ψεύστης (pseustēs, liar), ἀνθρωποκτόνος (anthrōpoktonos, manslayer), ἐκ (ek, of/originating from), ἔστηκεν (estēken, perfect of ἵστημι, stands/has stood).
- Main debate: Whether 'stood not in the truth' refers to the devil's original fall or his present condition of being outside truth.
- Theological theme: Spiritual paternity determines moral identity; truth and life come from God, lies and death from the devil.
- Best use: Preaching on the reality of spiritual warfare, the need for truth, and the hope of new birth in Christ.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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 doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth 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 thereof.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`Ye are of a father--the devil, and the desires of your father ye will to do; he was a man-slayer from the beginning, and in the truth he hath not stood, because there is no truth in him; when one may speak the falsehood, of his own he speaketh, because he is a liar--also his father.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Ye are of the devil, as [your] father, and ye desire to do the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks falsehood, he speaks of what is his own; for he is a liar and its father:
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Vosotros de vuestro padre el diablo sois, y los deseos de vuestro padre queréis cumplir. El, homicida ha sido desde el principio, y no permaneció en la verdad, porque no hay verdad en él. Cuando habla mentira, de suyo habla; porque es mentiroso, y padre de mentira.
Vós sois filhos de vosso pai, o Diabo, e quereis fazer os desejos de vosso pai; ele foi homicida desde o princípio, e não permaneceu na verdade, porque nele não há verdade; quando fala mentira, fala do seu próprio; porque é mentiroso, e pai da mentira .
Vous avez pour père le diable, et vous voulez accomplir les désirs de votre père. Il a été meurtrier dès le commencement, et il ne se tient pas dans la vérité, parce qu’ il n’ y a pas de vérité en lui. Lorsqu’ il profère le mensonge, il parle de son propre fonds; car il est menteur et le père du mensonge.
Ihr seid von dem Vater, dem Teufel, und nach eures Vaters Lust wollt ihr tun. Der ist ein Mörder von Anfang und ist nicht bestanden in der Wahrheit; denn die Wahrheit ist nicht in ihm. Wenn er die Lüge redet, so redet er von seinem Eigenen; denn er ist ein Lügner und ein Vater derselben.
Gij zijt uit den vader den duivel, en wilt de begeerten uws vaders doen; die was een mensenmoorder van den beginne, en is in de waarheid niet staande gebleven; want geen waarheid is in hem. Wanneer hij de leugen spreekt, zo spreekt hij uit zijn eigen; want hij is een leugenaar, en de vader derzelve leugen.
Voi siete progenie del diavolo, ch’è vostro padre, e volete fare i desideri del padre vostro. Egli è stato omicida fin dal principio e non si è attenuto alla verità, perché non c’è verità in lui. Quando parla il falso, parla del suo, perché è bugiardo e padre della menzogna.
Wyście z ojca dyjabła i pożądliwości ojca waszego czynić chcecie; onci był mężobójcą od początku i w prawdzie nie został, bo w nim prawdy nie masz: gdy mówi kłamstwo, z swego własnego mówi, iż jest kłamcą i ojcem kłamstwa.
Ваш отец диавол; и вы хотите исполнять похоти отца вашего. Он был человекоубийца от начала и не устоял в истине, ибо нет в нем истины. Когда говорит он ложь, говорит свое, ибо он лжец и отец лжи.
你們 是 出於 你們的父 魔鬼， 你們 父 的私慾 你們偏要 行。他 從 起初 是 殺人的， 不 守 真理，因 他心 裡 沒 有 真理。 他說 謊 是出於 自己；因 他本來是 說謊的，也是 說謊之人 的父。
You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 8:44
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Jesus here makes explicit what he had implied in verses 38 and 41: his opponents are morally children of the devil, not of Abraham or God. The verse presents the devil as a murderer and a liar by nature. On 'murderer from the beginning,' nearly all commentators (Calvin, Barnes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Gill) refer this to the devil's role in the Fall, by which death entered the human race (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12). On 'he was a murderer,' the Greek word anthrōpoktonos ('manslayer,' occurring only here and 1 John 3:15) points to the devil as the author of death. The phrase 'does not stand in the truth' (ouk estēken) draws debate: some take the perfect tense as describing his present state (he has no foothold in truth), while others (Wesley, JFB) see it as his original failure to remain in the truth. The second part identifies the devil as a liar and 'the father of it', the source of all falsehood. All traditions see this verse as teaching a real, personal devil whose nature is opposed to God.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Present state view: The perfect tense of ἔστηκεν (estēken) signifies a present condition: the devil has no standing in truth; he is not now in the truth.
- Original fall view: The perfect tense is understood as a past action with continuing results: the devil did not remain in the truth, indicating he fell from an original state of righteousness.
- Gnostic genealogy view: A minority ancient reading interprets 'his father' as the devil's own father, but this is rejected by orthodox tradition as inconsistent with the context.
What is clear: Jesus unequivocally identifies the devil as the source of murder and lies, and connects the hostility of his opponents to that evil father.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'murderer from the beginning' | The devil caused death to enter the human race through tempting Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). | Some commentators (e.g., Locke, De Wette) connect it to Cain's murder of Abel (1 John 3:12), while most (Calvin, Barnes, JFB) refer it to the Fall bringing spiritual and physical death. |
| Interpretation of 'abode not in the truth' (οὐκ ἔστηκεν) | The devil is characterized by falsehood and is not in the truth. | One view takes the perfect tense as describing his present state: he has no footing in truth. Another view (Wesley, JFB) reads the perfect as a past action: he did not remain in the truth, implying a fall from an original state. |
| Nature of the devil's paternity | The devil is the spiritual father of those who oppose God and imitate his evil desires. | Protestants emphasize imitation and influence; some early Gnostic interpretations (mentioned by Cambridge) read the verse as teaching a literal descent from the devil's father, but this was rejected by orthodox Christianity. |
| The phrase 'father of it' (τοῦ ψεύδους) | The devil is the originator of all falsehood. | Some ancient manuscripts and readings (Clarke mentions the Cainites) understood 'his father' as referring to the devil's own father, leading to a Gnostic genealogy, but the standard reading is 'the father of the lie.' |
Historical & Cultural Context
The immediate context is a heated dialogue in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7, 8). Jewish leaders had challenged Jesus' authority, claiming Abraham as their father (8:39) and God as their Father (8:41). Jesus' reply traces their hostility to a deeper spiritual lineage. The idea of a person's 'father' determining one's moral character had Jewish precedent: rabbinic literature sometimes called the wicked 'children of the old serpent' (Clarke cites the Sohar Kadash). The devil is called 'diabolos', 'slanderer' or 'accuser.' The Greek term ek ('of') is used twice: 'You are of (ek) your father the devil,' meaning origin or nature. In the Old Testament, the devil appears as the tempter in Eden (Genesis 3) and as an adversary (1 Chronicles 21:1, 'Satan stood up against Israel'). The specific charge of murder connects to the Jewish leaders' plot to kill Jesus (8:40). In the first century, accusing someone of being a child of the devil was the strongest possible denunciation. The verse also reflects the apocalyptic dualism found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, where humanity is divided into 'sons of light' and 'sons of darkness.' Jesus here forces a choice between two fathers. The language would have been shocking to hearers who prided themselves on physical descent from Abraham.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants affecting the meaning of John 8:44. The phrase 'your father' (πατρὸς ὑμῶν) in the first clause is supplied in some manuscripts but is contextually implied. The reading 'father of it' (πατὴρ αὐτοῦ) is grammatically masculine singular, referring either to 'the lie' (neuter), understood as 'the father of it', or, as some ancient Gnostic interpreters thought, to a personal father of the devil. The majority of manuscripts and the consensus of commentators support the former.
Reception History
This verse has been central to Christian teaching on the devil's person and work. Early church fathers like Irenaeus (Against Heresies) cited it to refute Gnostic claims of a separate evil creator, affirming that the devil is a fallen creature, not an ultimate principle. Augustine frequently referenced this verse in his anti-Donatist writings, arguing that separation from the Church reveals one's spiritual parentage. During the Reformation, Luther and Calvin used it to underscore the total depravity of those outside Christ. In Wesleyan tradition, Adam Clarke drew on Jewish sources (Sohar Kadash) to show that the phrase 'murderer from the beginning' matched rabbinic descriptions of the serpent. The verse has also been a key text in debates about spiritual warfare and the nature of evil. Modern scholarship continues to explore its implications for understanding the Johannine dualism of light and darkness.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The devil is a murderer. From the beginning he brought death through deceit (Genesis 3). His work is to destroy (John 10:10). Those who hate or kill show his nature (1 John 3:15).
- The devil is a liar. He does not stand in truth; his native language is falsehood. He is the father of every lie (Genesis 3:4; 1 Kings 22:22).
- Spiritual paternity is shown by deeds. Jesus’ opponents wanted to kill him and rejected the truth, proving their father was not Abraham but the devil. Our actions reveal whose child we are.
Five-point outline
- Identification: Jesus names the devil as the true father of his opponents (vs. 44a).
- Inclination: 'You want to do the desires of your father', not compulsion but willing obedience to evil.
- Character of the devil: Murderer from the beginning, the source of death.
- Character of the devil: Liar who does not stand in the truth; speaking falsehood is natural to him.
- Implication: Those who reject Christ align themselves with this father, just as those who believe become children of God (John 1:12).
Illustration hooks
- A child who has never met their biological parent can still resemble them in habits or appearance. Similarly, people may not know the devil personally but display his nature through anger, deceit, or pride.
- A lie often has a chain of origin. Gossip starts with one false remark and spreads. The first lie in Scripture is the serpent's contradiction of God's word (Genesis 3:4).
- In a courtroom, a witness who repeatedly lies destroys their credibility. The devil is the ultimate false witness against God and humanity.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I know whether I am following God or the devil if I am not committing obvious sins?
- Does this verse mean that some people are born as children of the devil with no hope?
- How do I break free from patterns of lying or anger that seem to have a hold on me?
Leading a Discussion
John 8:44 is one of the Bible's strongest statements about the source of evil. Jesus does not soften the truth. He connects his opponents' hostility directly to the devil. This passage challenges every small group to examine whose 'family traits' they bear, the fruit of truth or the fruit of lies and hate.
Discussion questions
- Read John 8:39-47. How does Jesus build his argument that the Jews are not truly children of Abraham?
- Why does Jesus call the devil a 'murderer from the beginning'? What event does that refer to (see Genesis 3, Wisdom 2:23-24)?
- The Greek word for 'murderer' is anthrōpoktonos (manslayer). In what ways does the devil still destroy lives today beyond physical killing?
- What does it mean that the devil 'does not stand in the truth'? How does this contrast with Jesus' statement 'I am the truth' (John 14:6)?
- Jesus says the devil speaks lies 'of his own' (ek tōn idiōn). What does this teach about the origin of falsehood?
- How can a person who has lived in deception experience freedom from the 'father of lies'? (See John 1:12; 8:31-32)
- Share a time when you were tempted to lie or to nurse anger. How did you recognize that as being out of step with God's family?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 3:3 | but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’” |
| Genesis 3:4 | The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, |
| Genesis 3:7 | Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. |
| Genesis 3:15 | I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” |
| Genesis 4:8 | Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. |
| Genesis 4:9 | Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” |
| I Kings 22:22 | Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ He said, ‘I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will entice him, and will also prevail. Go out and do so.’ |
| I Chronicles 21:1 | Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that those who oppose Christ share the devil's very nature: they desire what he desires and are filled with his murderous, lying disposition. He connects this directly to the fall, where the devil brought death to Adam and all his descendants through deception. For Clarke, being a child of the devil means participating in his fallen character and fate.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin clarifies that Jesus calls them children of the devil not because of their created nature but because sin corrupted them and Satan actively drives them to oppose Christ. Just as believers become God's children through the Spirit's regeneration, unbelievers become the devil's children through natural corruption and his instigation.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible Schools stresses that Jesus is not accommodating popular belief here. He speaks plainly and solemnly about the devil as a real personal being, not a figure of speech. The passage also notes the Jews' willful choice to gratify the devil's lusts and that the devil never stood firm in the truth.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Ye are of your father the deuill, and the lustes of your father ye will doe: hee hath bene a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the trueth, because there is no trueth in him. When hee speaketh a lie, then speaketh hee of his owne: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the devil's intense desire for Christ's death, not to prevent atonement through blood, but to cut short what he mistook for salvation by doctrine and example alone. This same murderous lust filled the Jews, proving the devil was their true father. The devil has been both liar and murderer from the very beginning.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB insists that Jesus's words affirm Satan as a literal personal being, not a metaphor. He interprets "murderer from the beginning" as Satan's seduction of Adam, which brought spiritual death to all humanity. Though the text uses the present tense, it describes Satan's continuous departure from his original holy state.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry traces the conflict between Christ and the Jews to two different fathers. Christ speaks from what He has seen with His Father in heaven, while the Jews act on what they learned from their father, the devil. This reveals two opposing families among humanity, each with a contrary origin.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the Greek grammar showing the Jews share the Devil's very nature, not merely his influence. He rejects any Gnostic reading that would make the Devil a created inferior being, insisting instead that Jesus describes Satan as a murderer from the start and a liar by essence. Falsehood is
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley emphasizes that the devil was a murderer in inclination from the very moment he became a devil, not merely from the start of human history. He is the proper parent of every lie, being the creator of it, and thus the origin of evil itself.