Focused Passage

John 8:31-47

The Light of the World, True Freedom, and the I AM Before Abraham

Jesus exposes hypocritical judgment, declares himself the Light of the world, warns unbelievers that they will die in sin, calls true disciples to abide in his word and be free, exposes false Abrahamic confidence, and reveals himself as the eternal I AM before Abraham.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

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

33 “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

35 A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.

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

37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.

38 I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

39 “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.

41 You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father 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, but He sent Me.

43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

46 Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 31

Original words

So οὖν G3767 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular [He] Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular said Ἔλεγεν G2036 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular to πρὸς G4314 Preposition the τοὺς G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Jews Ἰουδαίους G2453 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural [who] had believed πεπιστευκότας G4100 Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural Him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular If Ἐὰν G1437 Conjunction you ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural continue μείνητε G3306 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular My ἐμῷ G1699 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 1st Person Singular - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular word λόγῳ G3056 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular you are ἐστε G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural truly ἀληθῶς G230 Adverb My μού G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular disciples μαθηταί G3101 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Verse 32

Original words

Then καὶ G2532 Conjunction you will know γνώσεσθε G1097 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular truth ἀλήθειαν G225 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction the G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular truth ἀλήθεια G225 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular will set you free ἐλευθερώσει G1659 Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . ὑμᾶς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Verse 33

Original words

We are ἐσμεν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Abraham’s Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular descendants Σπέρμα G4690 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular they answered Ἀπεκρίθησαν G611 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural . . . πρὸς G4314 Preposition . . . αὐτόν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction We have never been slaves δεδουλεύκαμεν G1398 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural . . . πώποτε G4455 Adverb to [anyone] οὐδενὶ G3762 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular How πῶς G4459 Adverb {can} You σὺ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular say λέγεις G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular - ὅτι G3754 Conjunction [we] will be set γενήσεσθε G1096 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural free Ἐλεύθεροι G1658 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Verse 34

Original words

- G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular replied Ἀπεκρίθη G611 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular - αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Truly Ἀμὴν G281 Hebrew Word truly ἀμὴν G281 Hebrew Word I tell λέγω G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural - ὅτι G3754 Conjunction everyone πᾶς G3956 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular who G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ποιῶν G4160 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular sins ἁμαρτίαν G266 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular is ἐστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular a slave δοῦλός G1401 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular to τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular sin ἁμαρτίας G266 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 35

Original words

- δὲ G1161 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular A slave δοῦλος G1401 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular {does} not οὐ G3756 Adverb remain μένει G3306 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular house οἰκίᾳ G3614 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular vvv εἰς G1519 Preposition vvv τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular forever αἰῶνα G165 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular [but] a G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular son υἱὸς G5207 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular remains μένει G3306 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular vvv εἰς G1519 Preposition vvv τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular forever αἰῶνα G165 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 36

Original words

So οὖν G3767 Conjunction if ἐὰν G1437 Conjunction the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Son Υἱὸς G5207 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ὑμᾶς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural sets you free ἐλευθερώσῃ G1659 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular you will be ἔσεσθε G1510 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural free ἐλεύθεροι G1658 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural indeed ὄντως G3689 Adverb
Verse 37

Original words

I know Οἶδα G1492 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular - ὅτι G3754 Conjunction you are ἐστε G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Abraham’s Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular descendants σπέρμα G4690 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular but ἀλλὰ G235 Conjunction you are trying ζητεῖτέ G2212 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural to kill ἀποκτεῖναι G615 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Me με G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular My ἐμὸς G1699 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 1st Person Singular - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular word λόγος G3056 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv οὐ G3756 Adverb has no place χωρεῖ G5562 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular within ἐν G1722 Preposition you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Verse 38

Original words

I speak λαλῶ G2980 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular of what G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural I ἐγὼ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular have seen ἑώρακα G3708 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular in the presence of παρὰ G3844 Preposition the τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular Father Πατρὶ G3962 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction - οὖν G3767 Conjunction you ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural do ποιεῖτε G4160 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural what G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural you have heard ἠκούσατε G191 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural from παρὰ G3844 Preposition [your] τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular father πατρὸς G3962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 39

Original words

Abraham Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular is ἐστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular our ἡμῶν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular father πατὴρ G3962 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular they replied Ἀπεκρίθησαν G611 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural . . . καὶ G2532 Conjunction . . . εἶπαν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular If Εἰ G1487 Conjunction you were ἐστε G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural children τέκνα G5043 Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of Abraham Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular said Λέγει G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular you would do ἐποιεῖτε* G4160 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural the τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural works ἔργα G2041 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of Abraham Ἀβραὰμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 40

Original words

But δὲ G1161 Conjunction now νῦν G3568 Adverb you are trying ζητεῖτέ G2212 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural to kill ἀποκτεῖναι G615 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Me με G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular a man ἄνθρωπον G444 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular who ὃς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular has told λελάληκα G2980 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular truth ἀλήθειαν G225 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular that ἣν G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular I heard ἤκουσα G191 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular from παρὰ G3844 Preposition - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Abraham Ἀβραὰμ G11 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular never οὐκ G3756 Adverb did ἐποίησεν G4160 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular such a thing τοῦτο G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Verse 41

Original words

You ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural are doing ποιεῖτε G4160 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural the τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural works ἔργα G2041 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural of τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular your ὑμῶν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural father πατρὸς G3962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular We Ἡμεῖς G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural vvv οὐ G3756 Adverb are not illegitimate children γεγεννήμεθα G1080 Verb - Perfect Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural . . . ἐκ G1537 Preposition . . . πορνείας G4202 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - οὖν G3767 Conjunction they declared Εἶπαν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Our ἔχομεν G2192 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural only ἕνα G1520 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Father Πατέρα G3962 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular [is] God [Himself] Θεόν G2316 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 42

Original words

- G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular said Εἶπεν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular to them αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural If Εἰ G1487 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular God Θεὸς G2316 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular were ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular your ὑμῶν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Father Πατὴρ G3962 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ἂν G302 Particle you would love ἠγαπᾶτε G25 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Me ἐμέ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular for γὰρ G1063 Conjunction I ἐγὼ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular have come ἐξῆλθον G1831 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular here ἥκω G2240 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular from ἐκ G1537 Preposition - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction - γὰρ G1063 Conjunction I have not come ἐλήλυθα G2064 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular . . . οὐδὲ G3761 Adverb on ἀπ’ G575 Preposition My own ἐμαυτοῦ G1683 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 1st Person Singular but ἀλλ’ G235 Conjunction He ἐκεῖνός G1565 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular sent ἀπέστειλεν G649 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Me με G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Verse 43

Original words

Why Διὰ G1223 Preposition . . . τί G5101 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular vvv οὐ G3756 Adverb do you not understand γινώσκετε G1097 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural what τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular I ἐμὴν G1699 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 1st Person Singular - τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular am saying λαλιὰν G2981 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular [It is] because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction vvv οὐ G3756 Adverb you are unable δύνασθε G1410 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural to accept ἀκούειν G191 Verb - Present Infinitive Active - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular My ἐμόν G1699 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular message λόγον G3056 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 44

Original words

You ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural belong to ἐστὲ G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural . . . ἐκ G1537 Preposition [your] τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular father πατρὸς G3962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular devil διαβόλου G1228 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction you want θέλετε G2309 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural to carry out ποιεῖν G4160 Verb - Present Infinitive Active vvv τὰς G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Plural vvv τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular vvv ὑμῶν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural [his] πατρὸς G3962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular desires ἐπιθυμίας G1939 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural He ἐκεῖνος G1565 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular was ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular a murderer ἀνθρωποκτόνος G443 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular from ἀπ’ G575 Preposition [the] beginning ἀρχῆς G746 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction refusing οὐκ G3756 Adverb to uphold ἔστηκεν G4739 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular truth ἀληθείᾳ G225 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction there is ἔστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular no οὐκ G3756 Adverb truth ἀλήθεια G225 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular When ὅταν G3752 Conjunction he lies λαλῇ G2980 Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular . . . ψεῦδος G5579 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular he speaks λαλεῖ G2980 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - ἐκ G1537 Preposition [his] τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Plural native [ language] ἰδίων G2398 Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction he is ἐστὶν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular a liar ψεύστης G5583 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular father πατὴρ G3962 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular of [lies] αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Verse 45

Original words

But δὲ G1161 Conjunction because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction I ἐγὼ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular speak λέγω G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular truth ἀλήθειαν G225 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular vvv οὐ G3756 Adverb you do not believe πιστεύετέ G4100 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Me μοι G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Verse 46

Original words

Which Τίς G5101 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular of ἐξ G1537 Preposition you ὑμῶν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural can prove Me guilty ἐλέγχει G1651 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . με G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular of περὶ G4012 Preposition sin ἁμαρτίας G266 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular If εἰ G1487 Conjunction I speak λέγω G3004 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular [the] truth ἀλήθειαν G225 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular why διὰ G1223 Preposition . . . τί G5101 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular {do} you ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural not οὐ G3756 Adverb believe πιστεύετέ G4100 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Me μοι G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Verse 47

Original words

Whoever G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular belongs to ὢν G1510 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular . . . ἐκ G1537 Preposition - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular hears ἀκούει G191 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular the τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural words ῥήματα G4487 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular The reason διὰ G1223 Preposition . . . τοῦτο G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular you ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural {do} not οὐκ G3756 Adverb hear ἀκούετε G191 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural is that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction you do ἐστέ G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural not οὐκ G3756 Adverb belong ἐκ G1537 Preposition - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular to God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.