(Originally printed in the Winter/Spring 2016 Issue of the MCOI Journal Page 8)

By Ken Ammi

Behold, I shew you a mystery; … .” Thus wrote the Apos­tle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51, and it is the view of what this mystery is which fuels the alleged Serpent Seed of Satan Theory. It fuels both its identification and revela­tion for “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the hon­our of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2, KJV). Serpent Seed of Satan Theorists are keen to promulgate some­thing they consider to be a secret that actually has been “hidden in plain sight” since the beginning.

Other appeals to this word mystery come in the form of ref­erences to 1 Corinthians 13:2-which mentions the gift of being able to “understand all mysteries …” and Matthew 13:11- where Christ tells the Apostles that they are given the ability “to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven …” Yet, of course, just because there are mysteries and revelations does not necessarily mean the Serpent Seed of Satan Theory is one of these revealed mysteries or even true for that matter. This is a claim built upon the blank spaces of Scripture, and it gives its adherents a false feeling they know deeper things of God that others do not know.

But, perhaps we have gotten ahead of ourselves. For those who are unfamiliar with the Serpent Seed Doctrine, a brief ex­planation is in order. The basic claim is that Eve had sexual rela­tions with the serpent in the Garden, and Cain is the result of that union-the seed of the serpent.

Our focus will be the theory itself and not its history nor its proponents.¹For some details on this, see my “Serpent Seed of Satan Theory Pro­mulgators” http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/serpent-seed-satan-theory-promulgators The Serpent Seed of Satan (hereinafter SSS) The­ory proper, begins with The Fall into sin at Genesis three, and it is here we are told where the first mystery resides. The theory as­serts the text of Genesis three is highly symbolic; historical and grammatical understanding is abandoned and is replaced with a mystical, mythical hermeneutic-a new template-whereby to interpret the rest of the Bible clear through to Jesus’ parables.

Knowledge of Good and Evil

Let us consider relevant portions of the text interspersed with a SSS interpretation. Genesis chapter three begins with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden:

… the serpent … was more subtle than any beast of the field … said unto the woman, “Yea, hath God said, ‘Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ ” And the woman said unto the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’ ” And the serpent said unto the woman, “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, know­ing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

The “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gene­sis 2:17) in the “midst of the garden” (Genesis 3:3), SSS theo­rists would tell us represents Satan himself. The partaking of the fruit represents a forbidden sexual act engaged upon between Eve and Satan.

Thus, Eve is beguiled into engaging in the act as “… the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat …” (Genesis 3:6a,b). Whether the serpent had the requisite physical attributes to en­gage in such a liaison is not really considered. The rest of this portion of the story begins to cause another problem for SSS theorists as it is likewise related that Eve “… gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6c). This would, in keeping with the logic of the SSS theory, mean that Adam also had sex with Satan by partaking of the same forbidden fruit.

In any case, SSS theorists begin to make their case at this point that due to this forbidden act “… the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; …” (Gen­esis 3:7a) What, they would ask, does the recognition of being naked have to do with a literal tree, fruit and eating?

Well, the blame game ensues when “… LORD GOD called unto Adam, …” (v.9). Adam replies that he was hiding because, “… I was afraid, because I was naked; …” (v.10). God asks, “… Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” (v.11). Thus, Adam blames “…, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, …” (v.12), and Eve blames Satan, “…, The ser­pent beguiled me, and I did eat” (v.13)

God’s curse of the serpent (most readily identified as Satan in Revelation 12:9 and 20:2) includes that there will henceforth be “… enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; …” (v.15) which, according to the claim, means that since Eve’s seed is literal, physical offspring so must be Satan’s seed.

Stacking the Deck

Armed with little more than assertions, God’s curses are said to add to the major mysteries which the SSS theory seeks to reveal, “… I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy concep­tion; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; …” (v.16). This mystery is emphasized by asserting that the curses would other­wise violate the Bible’s basic ethical law of “an eye for an eye” (Leviticus 24:20). How, we are asked to ponder, does literally eating a literal fruit result in increased pain in childbirth? The SSS theory explains this by claiming the curse is a perfect fit to the view that the tree, fruit and eating represent Satan and sex: a forbidden sexual act is being punished by increased pain in the birth which would result therefrom.

Of course, Adam was cursed as well,“… Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, …” (v.17a), his curse relates to him personally and to the ground, “… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; …” (v v.17b-19a). The eye-for-an-eye aspect of this appears to be stated by God Himself as He concludes the curse by noting the reason is “… for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (v.19b).

As an ultimate result, Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden of Eden (which was east of Eden itself), and God placed Cherubim and a flaming sword to keep them from returning.

Thus, the SSS theory asserts Eve had sex with Satan, their offspring was Cain (who is the literal son of Satan) whose off­spring carry within them Satanic genetics-Satan’s seed-line or blood-line. Thus, SSS posits humanity consists of descendants of Adam and Eve and descendants of Satan and Eve.

But who are the SSS? Well, this depends upon the par­ticular prejudice, as it were, of the SSS theorist who decides to interpret who is who. The dichotomous enmity may be be­tween the world’s oppressive leaders vs. the hoi polloi, it may be the predetermined saved vs. the predetermined lost, it may be the “true Jews” (which British-Israelites, Anglo-Israelites, etc. falsely claim to be) vs. the false Jews who claim they are the true Jews, etc. SSS theorists conveniently place them­selves within the lineage of Adam’s seed; and anyone whom they are against is in Satan’s spawn.

What is Known

The Scriptures do not give us extensive knowledge about Adam and Eve, which is all the more reason to pay attention to what we are told. Ultimately, the plain reading of the text ex­plains why they were cursed in the manner that they were. As for Adam, “… the LORD GOD took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). As for Eve, “… she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20b). Thus, their curses are specifically related to that which the text detailed about them, pertaining to their long-term activities.

Adam’s pre-fall hobby, as it were, was “… to dress it and to keep” (Genesis 2:15) the Garden, but this then turns into hard labor since post-Fall “… in sorrow shalt thou eat of it … In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat …” (Genesis 3:17c &19a) be­cause now “… cursed is the ground…Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth …” (v v.17b & 18a).The ground once simply produced for Adam, but he would now have to work it. Eve was “… the mother of all living” (v.20b) thus, in that capacity, the LORD would “… greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy concep­tion; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; …” (v.16a)

The way the punishment fits the crime is that the punishment correlates, directly, to that which was to be each one’s specified task; working land and childbearing, respectively.

Moreover, we are told Adam and Eve share the following in common, “… a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: …” then “… they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This may be part of why the curse upon Eve is “… thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16c) since she got him to eat the fruit, as in taking the lead, “And unto Adam he said, ‘Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, …” (v.17a) thus, Adam was to take the lead since Eve had been beguiled (Genesis 3:16- 17, cf. 1 Tim. 2:14).

The information that Cherubim were placed to guard the way to the Garden is rather telling, because the fact is: Satan is not an Angel, but rather he is a Cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). An­gels and Cherubim are different categories of being; they look different and perform different job functions. Angels look like human males, have no wings and are, as the term angel denotes, messengers (such as in the evangel-the good news/message). Cherubim have four wings, four faces, cow-like hoofs and per­form guardian duties (around God’s throne, at the Garden’s en­trance, etc. see, Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10). One view about the Nephilim of Genesis 6 is that fallen Angels married and birthed offspring with human women and may be what is in view in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. Yet, we have no indication whatsoever that Satan was involved and the case appears to be that he does not even possess the, shall we say, equipment that would make such copulation possible. We are not given specifics about the key portion of Cherubim’s anatomy, but they are different from Angels and humans and may not be conducive to such physical activities. Thus, such copulation with Eve (not to mention with Adam) may have been impossible.

But what of Cain’s birth and actions? This is another major mystery which SSS theorists seek to uncover. The first portion of Genesis 4:1 states, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain …” which is straightforward enough to conclude, without having to delve into etymological minutia, that Adam knew (had sexual relation with) Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare (gave birth to) Cain.

Some make an issue of the KJV’s grammar within this verse, such as reading into the semicolon (so that “Adam knew Eve his wife” is a separate thought from “and she conceived, and bare Cain”), and within the Hebrew of Eve’s reference to having “… gotten a man from the LORD” (the last portion of Genesis 4:1) when Cain is supposed to have been gotten from Adam.²For a consideration of such grammatical issues, see my “Reply to Zen Garcia on the Serpent Seed of Satan Theory “Clifton A. Emahiser’s serpent seed of Satan theory – TrueFreeThinker, accessed 6-30-2020

Genealogy

A related issue is that when “… the generations of Adam …” are listed in Genesis 5, Cain is not noted therein because, or so we are told, he is not of Adam’s seed but Satan’s. Moreover, Genesis 5:3 states, “… Adam … begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth: …” supposedly in counter distinction of Cain, who was not in Adam’s own like­ness and image. We are also told that Cain’s actions-such as murdering Abel-derive from his Satanic genetics; because if he was born from Adam and Eve, he would not have followed such a course of action.

There is certainly a lot to unpack within these claims. All in all, entirely too much is made of the terminology involved in the announcement of children’s births. After all, Genesis 4:17 states, in like manner to Adam and Eve becoming the parents of Cain, that “… Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: ….”

The SSS bottom line seems to be that including Seth and excluding Cain from the generations of Adam is that the ge­nealogy ultimately results in a line from Adam and Eve to the Messiah Jesus. In fact, Galatians 3:16 is very specific about this point in noting, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the prom­ises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” There are three points of consideration here. First, as per Genesis 4:16, Cain moved away from Adam and Eve and began his own family-lineage: “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.” Second, while it is true Cain is not named as a child of Adam in Genesis 5, neither is Abel named. If the lack of mentioning Cain means he is the offspring of the serpent, then it would also mean that Abel (and the “sons and daughters” of Adam alluded to in Genesis 5:4) is the offspring of the serpent. Third, the lineage in Genesis 5 takes the reader from Adam to the three sons of Noah; and it may come as a surprise, but Cain is neither the father or son of Seth and so would not appear in that line.

As a rhetorical question: If Cain sinned as a direct result of having Satanic genetics why, pray tell, did Adam and Eve sin as they were direct creations of God Himself?

The ultimate biblical answer to Cain’s actions as well as all claims to hidden references to the SSS (including within Jesus’ parables) is the same; and that is what we will now focus upon and emphasize. Adam and Eve’s curses have been elucidated and demonstrated to be not mysterious. The genealogy is clear and understandable. There is no need to invent and insert the SSS as a supposed explanation or to appeal to it with regards to Cain’s absence from Adam’s genealogy.

All Things Considered

The parables of Jesus relevant to our discussion are found in Matthew 13, 23 and John 8. But first, let us consider 1 John 3 which makes it clear that Cain was, indeed, of that wicked one:

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for he is born of God. In this the children of God are mani­fest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (1 John 3:9-12)

Take a moment to consider the contextual reason given for Cain being a child of that wicked one-the devil. Note that the Bible’s pattern is that the issue with the “children of the devil,” (v.10) by any other name, is not genetics, but rather it is actions. In this case, they are “… whosoever doeth not righteousness … neither he that loveth not his brother” (v.10) and to top it off, specific reference is made to Genesis and that which “… ye heard from the beginning, …” (v.11) which is that Cain “… was of that wicked one, …” (v.12) but why? “… Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (v.12). Thus, the issue was Cain’s actions- his works and not his genetics. Let us now consider the parables with this pattern in mind.

The first parable is found in Matthew 13:3-23:

Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and de­voured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, be­cause they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3-9)

The Apostles asked Jesus, “… Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (v.10) and He replied “… Because it is giv­en unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (v.11)

After some discussion, Jesus explains the parable:

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which re­ceived seed by the way side. (v.18-19)

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but du­reth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the de­ceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (v.20-22)

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (v.23)

To reiterate the key terms emphasized within the parable: This was about those who heareth, understandeth, received, du­reth, offended, becometh unfruitful, beareth and bringeth. More­over, “… the wicked one … catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. …” (v.19) There is no genetic blood-line/ seed-line in view here. Also, those who fail to produce fail to do so due to “… tribulation or persecution … because of the word, …” (v.21) and “… the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches …” (v.22) and not genetics.

Jesus also tells another parable in Matthew 13:24-43:

… The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? (v.24-28)

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (v.29-30)

We are then told:

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the proph­et, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (v.34-35)

SSS theorists appeal to this statement and insert their SSS concept of “… things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (v.35c). Yet, the disciples specifically ask Jesus to elucidate “the parable of the tares of the field”:

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; … (v.37-38)

Note the juxtaposition between the “children of the kingdom” and “the children of the wicked one.” Jesus continues with:

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (v.39-43)

One must be careful when dealing with the issue of two blood-lines/seed-lines as the claim could be made there are two lines based on genetics; or there are two lines based on actions- on sin and on rebellion (which is the actual biblical point).

The parable in Matthew 23:2-39:

Matthew 23 also seems promising to SSS theorists as it does refer to the “child of hell” (v.15) as those being “serpents … generation of vipers” (v.33) who “kill and crucify … scourge … and persecute … prophets, and wise men, and scribes” (v.34):

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disci­ples, saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works [actions]: for they say, and do not [hypocrisy]. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers [lack of good works]. (v.2-4)

But all their works [actions] they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts [seeking honor], and the chief seats in the synagogues [seeking honor], and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi [seek­ing honor]. (v.5-7)

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (v.8-10)

But he that is greatest among you shall be your ser­vant. And whosoever shall exalt himself [they did not serve but exalted themselves] shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (v.11-12)

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites [hypocritical actions]! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, nei­ther suffer ye them that are entering to go in [action as hinderers]. (v.13)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses [action of taking rather than giving], and for a pretence make long prayer [action of showing off]: therefore ye shall receive the greater dam­nation. (v.14)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves [clearly, they are not changing peoples’ genetics]. (v.15)

Woe unto you, ye blind guides [they presume to guide but are blind], which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (v.16-18)

Ye fools and blind [they are foolish]: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth there­in. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omit­ted the weightier matters of the law [action towards fulfill­ing small matters only], judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (v.19-24)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and plat­ter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (v.25-26)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hy­pocrisy and iniquity [hypocritical actions make them ap­pear to be that which they are not] (v.27-28).

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! be­cause ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partak­ers with them in the blood of the prophets. (v.29-30)

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.[Their fathers were not said to have had Satanic genetics, but they were those who killed the prophets]. (v.31-32)

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers [thus, this has nothing to do with genetics], how can ye escape the dam­nation of hell? (v.33)

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your syna­gogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (v.34-35)

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill­est the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children to­gether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (v.36-37)

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (v.38-39)

The repetitious emphasis is not that sinful actions are the result of being a child of the wicked one, of the devil, of hell; but that the actions result in one being accounted as being such.

The last parable to consider is within John 8:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples in­deed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (v.31-32)

They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (v.33)

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (v.34-36)

I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. (v.37-38)

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s chil­dren, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not under­stand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. (v.39-43)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (v.44-47)

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Fa­ther, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (v.48-41)

From here the discussion in the text continues regarding whether Jesus is from God, or has a devil, etc. The fact that this is about actions and not genetics explains how it could be that the Jews, of which Jesus was one, stated that they are “Abraham’s seed” (v.33) and that “Abraham is our father” (v.39) why Jesus affirmed their genealogical ancestry, “ye are Abraham’s seed” (v.37) but also stated, “Ye are of your father the devil:” (v.44) their genetics are Abraham’s but their actions were devilish. This is why the action terms were emphasized above: “continue in my word … know the truth … committeth sin … abideth … the deeds … love … lusts … ye will do … murderer … liar … honour … dishonor.”

The take-away lesson is multifaceted and includes the fact that the Bible clearly explains its own symbolism in this matter; and when confronted by these parables, other texts, and especial­ly statements pieced together from one verse here and another there, you are now equipped to discern that which the Bible’s contents, concepts, and contexts are truly telling us about the SSS issue.

As has been demonstrated repeatedly, the Bible, in its his­torical-grammatical context tells us exactly how and why some are referred to as pertaining to a separate seed. The good news is that since the issue is not genetics, if one finds themselves within the ungodly seed, one can repent.Ω 

Ken Ammi is a long-time researcher and lecturer on issues per­taining to Christian apologetics. He has a background in Eastern Mysticism and the New Age. He is Jewish and has accepted Je­sus as Messiah. You can find him online at: True free Thinker

© 2016, Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc. All rights reserved. Excerpts and links may be used if full and clear credit is given with specific direction to the original content.