Matthew Poole and continuators on John 8:52

52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil . Abraham is dead, and the prophets, and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never ta[illegible: 1 letter]t of death .

This is the third time we have met with this Blasphemous imputation from these wretched men, Chap. 7.20. In this Chap. v. 48. and here. What we have here, may strongly incline us to believe, that by the Phrase they did not intend that he was Possessed with the Devil; for they here declare themselves confirmed in what they said, from his speaking that which was contrary to sense, and demonstration.

Abraham was Dead, (though the Father of the Faithful) and the Prophets were dead; and therefore to speak of any Mortal Man's not seeing Death, was contrary to every days Experience, and to the Experience of the holiest men who ever lived. To them therefore who understood him, speaking of a Natural Dissolution of the Soul and Body: this looked like the Language of one besides himself, (which probably was all they meant, when they said, He had a Devil) unless they used it as a term of reproach and passion, of all which, none can give any just account.

Marginal references: Heb. 11.13.