Texts in Conversation
In John, Jesus describes the devil as a liar and murderer from the beginning, echoing the language of Wisdom of Solomon where death entered the world through the devil's envy. Both expand on Genesis by identifying an adversary behind deception and death.
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Wisdom of Solomon 2:24
Deuterocanon
21 Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, 22 and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls; 23 for God created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of his own eternity, 24 but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it.
Date: 100-50 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
John 8:44
New Testament
42 Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching. 44 You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond because you don’t belong to God.”
Date: 90-110 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The characterization of the devil as a liar is of significance for the characterization of the believing Jews (John 8:44). This description is well in line with the traditional role of the devil. Already in Genesis the serpent in Paradise is presented as the one who deceives Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:13). The serpent was not originally seen as the devil, but the devil was later closely connected to the serpent, and the two were eventually equated. (It is not exactly clear when the serpent in Paradise was identified with the devil. Wisdom of Solomon 2:24 already suggests a close relationship between the two...) According to some traditions, the devil seduced Eve in the form of an angel (Life of Adam and Eve 9:1; Apocalypse of Moses 17:1), traditions presumably known also to Paul (2 Corinthians 11:14) ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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