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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 8:23 - 8:23
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Ye are from beneath (humeis ek tōn katō). This language, peculiar to John, could take up the idea in Josephus that these rabbis came from Gehenna whence they will go as children of the devil (Joh 8:44), but the use of ek tou kosmou toutou (“of this world” in origin) as parallel to what we have here seems to prove that the contrast between katō and anō here is between the earthly (sensual) and the heavenly as in Jam 3:15-17. See also Col 3:1. This is the only use of katō in John (except Joh 8:6). These proud rabbis had their origin in this world of darkness (Joh 1:9) with all its limitations.
I am from above (egō ek tōn anō eimi). The contrast is complete in origin and character, already stated in Joh 3:31, and calculated to intensify their anger.