John 8 37

John 8:37 kjv

I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

John 8:37 nkjv

"I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.

John 8:37 niv

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.

John 8:37 esv

I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.

John 8:37 nlt

Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message.

John 8 verses

John 8 37 Meaning

Jesus states a fundamental truth about true Abrahamic lineage, distinguishing it from mere physical descent. He asserts that if they were truly Abraham's children, they would do the deeds of Abraham. This means imitating Abraham's faith, obedience, and righteousness, not just claiming his name. It challenges their understanding of their identity and spiritual heritage, pointing to the internal character and actions as the true measure of belonging.

John 8 37 Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus to Jewish religious leaders who are challenging His authority and claim to be sent by God. They assert their lineage from Abraham, viewing it as their primary identity and entitlement to God's favor. Jesus, however, argues that physical descent is insufficient. The immediate context is Jesus' discourse in Jerusalem during a feast. The broader context involves His ongoing conflict with the religious establishment who reject His identity and message. He is refuting their claims to Abrahamic heritage by contrasting their actions with Abraham's.

John 8 37 Word Analysis

• "But" (Ἀλλά - allá): A strong adversative conjunction, contrasting their claimed identity with the reality of their actions.

• "I know" (Οἶδα - oîda): Implies certain knowledge, not just opinion, emphasizing Jesus' divine insight.

• "that" (ὅτι - hóti): Introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of His knowledge.

• "you" (ὑμεῖς - hymeîs): The plural pronoun referring to the Jewish leaders addressing Jesus.

• "are" (ἐστε - este): The second person plural present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), to be.

• "Abraham's offspring" (σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ - spérma Abraám): Literally "seed of Abraham." In Greek thought and Semitic background, "seed" signifies descendants, heirs, and inheritors. It emphasizes lineage and inheritance.

• "but" (ἀλλά - allá): Again, a conjunction indicating contrast.

• "seek" (ζητεῖτε - zēteîte): Implies actively pursuing or trying to accomplish something.

• "to kill" (ἀποκτεῖναι - apokteînai): The infinitive of ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō), meaning to kill, slay, put to death. This points to their hostile intentions against Jesus.

• "me" (ἐμέ - emé): The accusative personal pronoun, object of their seeking.

• "a man" (ἄνθρωπον - ánthrōpon): Refers to Jesus' humanity.

• "who" (ὃς - hós): A relative pronoun referring to "a man" (Jesus).

• "has told" (λελάληκα - leláleka): The perfect tense of λαλέω (laléō), to speak. It signifies a completed action with ongoing results—His words have been spoken and are still relevant and true.

• "you" (ὑμῖν - hymîn): Dative plural pronoun, indirect object, to whom the speaking was done.

• "the truth" (τὴν ἀλήθειαν - tḕn alḗtheian): The accusative definite article and noun. Truth is absolute and aligned with God's reality, contrasting with deception or falsehood.

• "from" (ἀπὸ - apó): Preposition indicating source or origin.

• "God" (θεοῦ - theoû): Genitive case, indicating God as the source of the truth.

• "Abraham's offspring, but seek to kill me": This juxtaposition highlights the internal contradiction in their claims. They claim Abrahamic lineage, but their actions—seeking to kill Jesus—are contrary to Abraham's character, who was called "the friend of God" (James 2:23).

• "a man who has told you the truth from God": Jesus emphasizes His humanity while simultaneously claiming divine authority and source for His message. The truth He speaks is not of human origin but originates directly from God.

John 8 37 Bonus Section

The concept of spiritual lineage being more important than physical descent is a recurring theme in the Bible. The Old Testament prophetic tradition frequently rebuked Israel for outward religious observance without inward sincerity, emphasizing God's desire for genuine righteousness over mere ritual. Jesus' teaching here builds upon this prophetic critique, reorienting the understanding of God's covenant people toward faith and obedience as the defining characteristics. The early church, particularly through the Apostle Paul, further expounds on this, defining believers in Christ as spiritual heirs of Abraham through faith (Galatians 3).

John 8 37 Commentary

Jesus cuts through the religious elite's assertion of physical descent from Abraham. True belonging to Abraham is demonstrated by emulating Abraham's actions, specifically his faith and obedience to God. Their desire to kill Jesus starkly contrasts with Abraham's relationship with God, proving their spiritual disconnection despite their genealogical claims. Jesus' message is that outward religious identity or lineage means nothing without inner transformation and a life that reflects God's truth. Their actions reveal they are not truly Abraham's spiritual descendants.