ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

John 8.46

Book: John · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"44. 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. 45. But because I say the truth, ye believe me not."

"46. Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?"

"47. He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48. The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?" (John 8:44-48, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"44. 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 its father. 45. But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me."

"46. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?"

"47. He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.” 48. Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”" (John 8:44-48, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"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. of his own: or, from his own will or disposition 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?" (John 8:44-48, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"44. '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. 45. 'And because I say the truth, ye do not believe me."

"46. Who of you doth convict me of sin? and if I speak truth, wherefore do ye not believe me?"

"47. he who is of God, the sayings of God he doth hear; because of this ye do not hear, because of God ye are not.' 48. The Jews, therefore, answered and said to him, 'Do we not say well, that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?'" (John 8:44-48, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: John the Apostle (traditionally) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: later Christian audience (high-Christological emphasis; against early gnosticism)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); possibly Ephesus (composition)
  • Time period: events c. 26-33 AD (3-Passover chronology); composed c. AD 85-95

Theological reading

Key words

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.