Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,(A) you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(B)

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants(C) and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.(D) 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.(E) 36 So if the Son sets you free,(F) you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,(G) because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,(H) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a](I)

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”(J) said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,(K) a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.(L) Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”(M)

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”(N)

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,(O) for I have come here from God.(P) I have not come on my own;(Q) God sent me.(R) 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil,(S) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.(T) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.(U) 45 Yet because I tell the truth,(V) you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.(W) The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan(X) and demon-possessed?”(Y)

49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself;(Z) but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”(AA)

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!(AB) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham?(AC) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,(AD) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.(AE) 55 Though you do not know him,(AF) I know him.(AG) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.(AH) 56 Your father Abraham(AI) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it(AJ) and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,(AK) I am!”(AL) 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him,(AM) but Jesus hid himself,(AN) slipping away from the temple grounds.

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:38 Or presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the Father.
  2. John 8:39 Some early manuscripts “If you are Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 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.

40 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.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 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.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 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.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

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The Truth Shall Make You Free

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you (A)abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the (B)truth, and (C)the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, (D)“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (E)whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And (F)a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 (G)Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s

37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but (H)you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 (I)I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have [a]seen with your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, (J)“Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, (K)“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 (L)But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth (M)which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; (N)we have one Father—God.”

42 Jesus said to them, (O)“If God were your Father, you would love Me, for (P)I proceeded forth and came from God; (Q)nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 (R)Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 (S)You are of your father the devil, and the (T)desires of your father you want to (U)do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and (V)does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 (W)He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

Before Abraham Was, I AM

48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and (X)have a demon?”

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and (Y)you dishonor Me. 50 And (Z)I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, (AA)if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You (AB)have a demon! (AC)Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. (AD)Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, (AE)“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. (AF)It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is [b]your God. 55 Yet (AG)you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and (AH)keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham (AI)rejoiced to see My day, (AJ)and he saw it and was glad.”

57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (AK)before Abraham was, (AL)I AM.”

59 Then (AM)they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, (AN)going[c] through the midst of them, and so passed by.

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:38 NU heard from
  2. John 8:54 NU, M our
  3. John 8:59 NU omits the rest of v. 59.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.(A) Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.(B) 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you[a] a light for the Gentiles,(C)
    that you[b] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[c](D)

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;(E) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord(F) spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.(G) 51 So they shook the dust off their feet(H) as a warning to them and went to Iconium.(I) 52 And the disciples(J) were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  2. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  3. Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

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46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, (A)“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but (B)since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, (C)we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

(D)‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. (E)And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, (F)raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 (G)But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples (H)were filled with joy and (I)with the Holy Spirit.

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