3:8 from the beginning. The devil was “a murderer from the beginning,” as well as “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).
3:8 was manifested. The Son of God was “manifested to take away our sins” (I John 3:5) and also was manifested to “destroy the works of the devil.” See also Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10.