Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
The Jewish authorities completely lose their cool and lash out at the man. Edersheim observes “they lost all self-possession and with this their moral defeat became complete.” (Life II, 185)
They claim to be followers of Moses, who they thought to be the greatest prophet. This follows the man’s declaration that Jesus is a prophet.