31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,[a](A) you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth,(B) and the truth will set you free.”

33 “We are descendants[b] of Abraham,”(C) they answered Him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.(D) 35 A slave does not remain in the household forever,(E) but a son does remain forever.(F) 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. John 8:31 Or My teaching, or My message
  2. John 8:33 Or offspring; lit seed; Jn 7:42

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.

Read full chapter