What does John 8:48 mean?

This conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees dispels any myths that Jesus was weak, passive, or timid. In response to His claims, the religious leaders of Jerusalem have gone so far as to question Jesus' birth. They did this by insinuating that He was "born of sexual immorality," which could actually be seen as an attack on His mother (John 8:41). These same men have also tried to have Jesus arrested (John 7:32) and even killed (John 5:18). All of this is grounded in their refusal to accept His message (John 8:43), which they do not understand specifically because they have no intent to listen.

Here, the men opposing Jesus sink even lower in their approach. The Jewish people saw Samaritans as despised half-breeds. This cultural hatred was a major reason why Jesus' actions in the Samaritan town of Sychar were so controversial (John 4:1–9). Calling Jesus a "Samaritan" combined two insults into one: mocking His birth, and accusing Him of heresy. Referring to someone as demon-possessed was, in that day, equivalent to calling them crazy. Unable to give reasonable answers to His teaching, those opposed to Jesus are resorting to petty insults. Unfortunately, this tactic is still common in debates today, where mocking and slurs take the place of actual discussion.