John 8:31-59

Listen to John 8:31-59

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants 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.

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.

45 Yet because I tell the truth, 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. 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 and demon-possessed?”

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; 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.”

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! 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? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.

55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it 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, I am!”

59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Read Chapter Compare Translations Commentaries Cross References

Images for John 8:31-59

Cross References 40

1. John 15:7; 2 John 9
2. ver 36; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1,13; James 2:12
3. ver 37,39; Matthew 3:9; S Luke 3:8
4. S Romans 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19
5. Galatians 4:30
6. ver 32
7. ver 39,40
8. John 5:19,30; John 14:10,24
9. ver 41,44
10. ver 37; S Luke 3:8; Romans 9:7; Galatians 3:7
11. S Matthew 12:14
12. ver 26
13. ver 38,44
14. Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8
15. 1 John 5:1
16. S John 13:3; John 16:27; John 17:8
17. John 7:28
18. S John 3:17
19. 1 John 3:8
20. ver 38,41
21. Genesis 3:4; Genesis 4:9; 2 Chronicles 18:21; Psalms 5:6; Psalms 12:2
22. John 18:37
23. John 18:37; 1 John 4:6
24. S Matthew 10:5
25. ver 52; S Mark 3:22; John 7:20
26. ver 54; John 5:41
27. John 11:26
28. ver 48; S Mark 3:22
29. ver 39; John 4:12
30. ver 50
31. John 16:14; John 17:1,5
32. ver 19
33. John 7:28,29
34. John 15:10
35. ver 37,39; Genesis 18:18
36. S Matthew 13:17; Hebrews 11:13
37. S John 1:2; John 17:5,24
38. Exodus 3:14; Exodus 6:3
39. Exodus 17:4; Leviticus 24:16; 1 Samuel 30:6; John 10:31; John 11:8
40. John 12:36

Footnotes 2

[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"