John 8:34-44

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[a] ”

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would ^[b] do what Abraham did.

40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.

41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

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, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Romans 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19
• 2. Galatians 4:30
• 3. ver 32
• 4. ver 39,40
• 5. John 5:19,30; John 14:10,24
• 6. ver 41,44
• 7. ver 37; S Luke 3:8; Romans 9:7; Galatians 3:7
• 8. S Matthew 12:14
• 9. ver 26
• 10. ver 38,44
• 11. Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8
• 12. 1 John 5:1
• 13. S John 13:3; John 16:27; John 17:8
• 14. John 7:28
• 15. S John 3:17
• 16. 1 John 3:8
• 17. ver 38,41
• 18. Genesis 3:4; Genesis 4:9; 2 Chronicles 18:21; Psalms 5:6; Psalms 12:2

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the Father."
• [b]. Some early manuscripts "“If you are Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then"