John 8:31-41

31 So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples;

32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ¹

33 "We are the descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, "You will be free'?" ²

34 Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

35 A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever.

36 If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.

37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching.

38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you."

39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." "If you really were Abraham's children," Jesus replied, "you would do the same things that he did.

40 All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this!

41 You are doing what your father did." "God himself is the only Father we have," they answered, "and we are his true children."

Cross References

• 1. +28.321 Esdras 4.38.
• 2. 8.33Matthew 3.9;Luke 3.8.

Footnotes

• [a]. If you really were . . . you would do; [some manuscripts have] If you are . . . do.