John 8:31-41

31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, "You will be made free'?"

34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever.

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

37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word.

38 I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father."

39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did,

40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

41 You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself."

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [you do what you have heard from your father]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities read [If you are Abraham's children, then do]