322 LITERATURE OF GNOSTIC WISDOM
(41) John 8:21
Where I am going you cannot come.
How have they come to be in imperishability when they remain in ignorance
and disbelief and sins?
(42) John 8:22
Will he kill himself? because he said, "Where I am
going you cannot come."
In their wicked thoughts the Jews said these things and declared themselves
greater than the savior and thought that they would go to god for eternal rest
but the savior would slay himself and go to corruption and death, where they
thought they would not go. The Jews thought the savior said, "When I have
slain myself, I shall go to corruption, where you cannot come."
(43) John 8:37
My word has no place in you.
The word has no place because others are unsuited for it either by substance
or inclination.
(44) John 8:44
You are from your father the devil.
This passage accounts for their inability^40 to hear the word of Jesus or to un-
derstand his speech. It means "of the substance of the devil." It makes their
nature evident to them and convicts them in advance. They are neither chil-
dren of Abraham nor children of god, because they do not love Jesus.
(45) John 8:44
You are from your father the devil.
The word was spoken to those who were of the substance of the devil.
(46) John 8.44
And you want to do the desires of your father.
- The Jews' inability.
