John 8 39

John 8:39 kjv

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:39 nkjv

They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:39 niv

"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did.

John 8:39 esv

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

John 8:39 nlt

"Our father is Abraham!" they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.

John 8 verses

John 8 39 Meaning

John 8:39 reveals a pivotal confrontation between Jesus and a group of Jewish individuals who claimed privileged status through physical descent from Abraham. Jesus challenges their assumption by asserting that true sonship to Abraham is not merely biological but demonstrated through actions that reflect Abraham's character—specifically, his faith and obedience to God. It posits a spiritual lineage evidenced by deeds, directly contrasting their reliance on mere ancestry.

John 8 39 Context

This verse occurs in a highly contentious discourse between Jesus and various Jewish groups in the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus has been proclaiming His identity and origin (John 7-8). In John 8:30-32, some Jews believed Him after His declaration, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself..." However, their "belief" seems superficial or conditional, as they quickly revert to challenging His claims of spiritual freedom in John 8:33, insisting they are "Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone." Jesus’s assertion in 8:36 about freedom from the bondage of sin implies they are in bondage. Verse 39 is their response, a steadfast declaration of their privileged lineage to Abraham as their ultimate defense and basis for their identity and perceived righteousness. Jesus then directly refutes this simplistic, purely physical understanding of sonship.

John 8 39 Word analysis

• They answered and said to Him: Denotes a direct, emphatic response from the Jews. It highlights their insistence on their lineage.
• "Abraham is our father.":
  • Abraham (Ἀβραάμ - Abraam): The patriarch, revered founder of the Jewish nation, central to their identity and covenant understanding. His name signifies a "father of many nations."
  • is (ἐστιν - estin): Present tense, a definitive statement of an unchangeable fact from their perspective.
  • our father (ἡμῶν πατήρ - hēmon patēr): A strong assertion of shared identity and descent. For them, this established an automatic claim to divine favor and covenant rights, distinguishing them from Gentiles. This phrase embodies their pride and religious confidence.
• Jesus said to them: Marks Jesus's direct rebuttal, moving beyond their literal understanding.
• "If you were Abraham's children...":
  • If (Εἰ - Ei): Introduces a conditional clause, implying doubt about their claim. In Greek grammar, this is a second-class conditional statement, often translated as "If you were X, then you would do Y," suggesting the condition is contrary to fact or highly unlikely in the speaker's view. Jesus implicitly denies their claim even before stating the consequence.
  • you were (ἦτε - ēte): Past indicative, aligning with the contrary-to-fact condition, contrasting with their asserted present reality.
  • Abraham's children (τέκνα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ - tekna tou Abraam):
    • children (τέκνα - tekna): Literally offspring. However, in this context, it shifts from merely biological descent (which they possess) to implying moral resemblance or character that fits the parent. Jesus redefines "children" to mean those who live out Abraham's virtues.
    • Abraham's: Emphasizes ownership and belonging, signifying a true and active inheritance of his character, not just his genes.
• "...you would do the works of Abraham.":
  • you would do (ἐποιεῖτε - epoieite): Imperfect tense, referring to habitual action. It highlights a continuous practice of deeds.
  • the works of Abraham (τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ - ta erga tou Abraam):
    • works (ἔργα - erga): Deeds, actions, the observable outcomes of an inward disposition. Jesus does not mean works of the Law (as later in Paul's writings) but the character-driven acts of faith and obedience that defined Abraham's life.
    • of Abraham: The specific character and nature of actions modeled by Abraham. These include his faith (Gen 15:6), his obedience (Gen 12, Gen 22), his hospitality (Gen 18), his willingness to leave home and sojourn by faith. It’s a spiritual pattern, not a ceremonial code.
• Word-groups analysis:
  • "Abraham is our father.": This phrase signifies their national and spiritual identity, a foundational belief for their security and righteousness. It expresses a sense of entitled privilege and resistance to Jesus's implications of their sin and need for freedom.
  • "If you were Abraham's children...": Jesus uses a conditional statement to challenge the very premise of their spiritual lineage, moving the definition from mere birth to spiritual emulation and action.
  • "...you would do the works of Abraham.": This climactic phrase redefines what it means to be a "child of Abraham," shifting the criterion from bloodline to conduct. It asserts that true connection to the patriarch is manifested through living a life of faith and obedience, just as he did. Their current actions (rejecting Jesus) demonstrate a disconnect.

John 8 39 Bonus section

The statement "Abraham is our father" in Jewish thought often served as a blanket justification, precluding the need for personal repentance or faith, believing their descent alone secured them within God's covenant. This deeply ingrained cultural conviction made Jesus's words particularly jarring and confrontational. He was dismantling their fundamental identity claim. The concept of "works of Abraham" here aligns more with "the works demonstrating Abraham's character" rather than legalistic requirements. These were acts of deep trust and surrender to God, pivotal to his covenant relationship. Furthermore, Jesus's emphasis on "doing" (ἐποιεῖτε) parallels his own consistent teaching that true discipleship involves actively following and obeying His word (John 8:31, John 14:15, 23). This exchange foreshadows a broader theological theme within the New Testament: that true family of God is spiritual, defined by faith in Christ, rather than purely physical descent.

John 8 39 Commentary

John 8:39 stands as a pivotal statement in Jesus's critique of religious self-assurance based on ancestral privilege. The Jews in this passage held an unwavering belief that their physical lineage from Abraham guaranteed their covenant status and God's favor. Jesus directly confronts this superficial understanding by distinguishing between physical descent and true, spiritual sonship. He implies that biological ties alone are insufficient; what truly validates their claim to Abraham's heritage are "the works of Abraham"—deeds flowing from genuine faith and obedience. Abraham was defined not by his genes, but by his active trust in God's promises and his willingness to obey divine commands, even when costly (e.g., leaving his home, offering Isaac). By highlighting their failure to perform these "works," Jesus implicitly denies their spiritual kinship with Abraham, setting the stage for the even more shocking declaration that follows concerning their true spiritual father. This verse fundamentally challenges the notion of inherited righteousness, asserting that spiritual identity is demonstrated through lived experience, not mere birthright. It's a call for authenticity in faith, where actions serve as undeniable evidence of one's true allegiance and heritage.