Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 8:52

"The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death." — John 8:52 (ASV)

To receive eternal life by keeping Jesus’ word seemed to the Jews the height of absurdity. They felt that their charge of demon-possession was confirmed. If their ancestor Abraham and the OT prophets as God’s accredited messengers died, how could this obscure Galilean claim to have the power of life and death?