John 8:48
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?
American Standard Version (ASV)
The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The Jews said to him in answer, Are we not right in saying that you are of Samaria and have an evil spirit?
Webster's Revision
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
World English Bible
Then the Jews answered him, "Don't we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Definitions for John 8:48
Clarke's John 8:48 Bible Commentary
Thou art a Samaritan - This was the same, among them, as heretic, or schismatic, among us. This is the only time in which the Jews gave our Lord this title of reproach; and they probably grounded it on his having preached among them, and lodged in their villages. See the account in John 4:39, John 4:40; but Samaritan, among them, meant a person unworthy of any credit.
Hast a devil? - Art possessed by an evil spirit; and art, in consequence, deranged.
Barnes's John 8:48 Bible Commentary
Say we not well - Say we not truly.
Thou art a Samaritan - This was a term of contempt and reproach. See the notes at John 4:9. It had the force of charging him with being a heretic or a schismatic, because the Samaritans were regarded as such.
And hast a devil - See John 7:20. This charge they brought against him because he had said that they were not of God or were not the friends of God. This they regarded as the same as taking sides with the Samaritans, for the question between the Jews and Samaritans was, which of them worshipped God aright, John 4:20. As Jesus affirmed that the Jews were not of God, and as he, contrary to all their views, had gone and preached to the Samaritans John 4, they regarded it as a proof that he was disposed to take part with them. They also regarded it as evidence that he had a devil. The devil was an accuser or calumniator and as Jesus charged them with being opposed to God, they considered it as proof that he was influenced by such an evil spirit.
devil - In the original, demon. Not the prince or chief of the devils, but an evil spirit.
Wesley's John 8:48 Bible Commentary
8:48 Say we not well - Have we not just cause to say, Thou art, a Samaritan - An enemy to our Church and nation; and hast a devil? - Art possessed by a proud and lying spirit?
