John 8:39 Study Bible: They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

◄ John 8:39 ►

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

Study Bible

Abraham is our father
This declaration by the Jewish leaders is a claim to a prestigious lineage. In the Jewish tradition, Abraham is not only a patriarch but a foundational figure in their identity as God's chosen people. The Greek word for "father" here is "πατήρ" (patēr), which signifies not just a biological ancestor but a spiritual and cultural progenitor. Historically, Abraham is revered for his faith and obedience to God, as seen in Genesis 12 and 15. The Jewish leaders' assertion reflects their belief in a covenantal relationship with God through Abraham, which they assume grants them spiritual legitimacy and favor.

they replied
The response of the Jewish leaders is defensive, indicating a reliance on their heritage for spiritual authority. The Greek verb "ἀπεκρίθησαν" (apekrithēsan) suggests a formal reply, often used in contexts of debate or legal defense. This reflects the tension in the dialogue, as they are not merely stating a fact but defending their spiritual status against Jesus' challenging teachings.

If you were children of Abraham
Jesus challenges their claim by introducing a conditional statement. The Greek word "εἰ" (ei) translates to "if," setting up a hypothetical scenario that questions the authenticity of their claim. The term "children" (τέκνα, tekna) implies more than just physical descent; it suggests a likeness in character and action. Jesus is pointing out that true kinship with Abraham is demonstrated through actions that reflect Abraham's faith and obedience, as seen in James 2:21-23.

said Jesus
This phrase marks Jesus' authoritative response. The Greek verb "εἶπεν" (eipen) is used for direct speech, emphasizing the importance and weight of Jesus' words. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus often speaks with divine authority, challenging existing religious norms and inviting listeners to a deeper understanding of spiritual truths.

you would do the works of Abraham
Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of actions over mere lineage. The Greek word for "works" is "ἔργα" (erga), which refers to deeds or actions. This echoes the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Abraham's "works" are characterized by his faith and obedience to God, such as leaving his homeland (Genesis 12:1-4) and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18). Jesus is teaching that true children of Abraham will emulate his faith through their actions, aligning with God's will and demonstrating genuine righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and challenging their understanding of spiritual lineage.

2. Abraham
The patriarch of the Jewish faith, revered as the father of the nation of Israel and a model of faith and obedience.

3. Jewish Leaders
The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, who claim Abraham as their father and are confident in their heritage.

4. Jerusalem
The setting of this discourse, a city central to Jewish religious life and the location of many of Jesus' teachings.

5. The Temple
While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, much of John 8 takes place in the temple courts, a significant place for Jewish worship and teaching.

Teaching Points

Spiritual Lineage vs. Physical Lineage
True spiritual heritage is determined by faith and actions, not merely by ancestry or tradition.

Faith Demonstrated Through Works
Like Abraham, our faith should be evident in our actions. Faith without works is incomplete.

Challenge of Hypocrisy
Jesus challenges us to examine whether our lives reflect the faith we profess. Are we living as true children of God?

The Importance of Obedience
Abraham's life was marked by obedience to God. We are called to follow his example in our daily walk with God.

Identity in Christ
Our identity as Christians is rooted in our relationship with Christ, not in our religious or cultural background.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jesus' challenge to the Jewish leaders in John 8:39 apply to our understanding of spiritual heritage today?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate our faith through actions, following the example of Abraham?

3. How do the teachings in Romans 4:12 and Galatians 3:7 deepen our understanding of what it means to be a child of Abraham?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure our faith is not just a matter of words but is evident in our daily lives?

5. How can we guard against the hypocrisy that Jesus addresses in this passage, ensuring our lives align with our professed beliefs?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 15:6
This verse highlights Abraham's faith, which was credited to him as righteousness. It connects to Jesus' challenge to the Jewish leaders to emulate Abraham's faith and actions.

Romans 4:12
Paul speaks about those who follow in the footsteps of Abraham's faith, emphasizing that true children of Abraham are those who share his faith, not just his bloodline.

Galatians 3:7
Paul reiterates that those who have faith are the true children of Abraham, aligning with Jesus' teaching in John 8:39.

James 2:21-23
James discusses how Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his actions, reinforcing Jesus' point that true children of Abraham would do the works of Abraham.

Sermons

A Glorious Liberator	Sunday School Times	John 8:31-59
Bondage and Deliverance	W. Arnot, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Bondage and Freedom		John 8:31-59
Christ Sets Free the Sinful	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:31-59
Constancy a Severe Test of Piety	J. Spencer.	John 8:31-59
Continuous Piety is Piety Indeed	J. Trapp.	John 8:31-59
Disciples Indeed	T. G. Horton.	John 8:31-59
Evidence of Discipleship	H. C. Trumbull.	John 8:31-59
Freedom Aided by God		John 8:31-59
Freedom and Responsibility	H. W. Beecher.	John 8:31-59
Freedom by the Truth	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	John 8:31-59
Freedom by the Truth	W. Birch.	John 8:31-59
Freedom by the Truth	J Todd.	John 8:31-59
Freedom by the Truth	P. N. Zabriskie, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Freedom Only to be Found in God	R. S. Barrett.	John 8:31-59
Glorious Liberty	W. Jay.	John 8:31-59
Jesus and Abraham	H. A. Edson, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Liberty	W. Arnot, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Moral Bondage	D. Thomas, D. D.	John 8:31-59
No Place for the Word	W. M. H. Aitken, M. A., G. S. Bowes.	John 8:31-59
Sin is Spiritual Slavery	Prof. Shedd.	John 8:31-59
Spiritual and Scientific Truth	Aubrey L. Moore, M. A.	John 8:31-59
Spiritual Emancipation	J. M. King, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Spiritual Freedom	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:31-59
Spiritual Liberty	Canon Stowell.	John 8:31-59
Spiritual Liberty	H. W. Beecher.	John 8:31-59
The Best Service is Constant		John 8:31-59
The Effects of the Rejection and the Reception of the Word	The Leisure Hour	John 8:31-59
The English Slave	S. S. Times.	John 8:31-59
The Freedom Which Christ Gives	John Howe.	John 8:31-59
The Grace of Continuance	A. T. Pierson, D. D.	John 8:31-59
The Great Liberator	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:31-59
The Hour of Emancipation	Heroes of Britain.	John 8:31-59
The Kingdom of the Truth	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	John 8:31-59
The Liberty of Believers		John 8:31-59
The Method of Christian Freedom	W. Arnot.	John 8:31-59
The Progress of the Lost Soul to Destruction	Bp. Samuel Wilberforce.	John 8:31-59
The Servant Abideth not in the House Forever	A. Maclaren, D. D.	John 8:31-59
The Son and the Slave Contrasted	Archdeacon Watkins.	John 8:31-59
The Spiritual Slavery of Man	T. Binney.	John 8:31-59
The Vain Boast of the Jews	Abp. Trench.	John 8:31-59
True Freedom	O. F. Gifford.	John 8:31-59
True Liberty	Canon Liddon.	John 8:31-59
Truth and Liberty	H. Bonar, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Truth and Liberty	H. G. Trumbull, D. D.	John 8:31-59
Ye Shall be Free Indeed	Archdeacon Watkins.	John 8:31-59
Because I Tell You the Truth, Ye Believe Me Not	F. Godet, D. D.	John 8:38-47
Children of the Devil	W. Baxendale.	John 8:38-47
Christ's Challenge to the World	Archbishop Trench.	John 8:38-47
Christ's Claim	J. Parker, D. D.	John 8:38-47
Christ's Language About Sin	W. S. Wood, M. A.	John 8:38-47
Conditions of Belief of the Truth	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	John 8:38-47
Does Christ Here Assert His Own Sinlessness	W. S. Wood, M. A.	John 8:38-47
He is a Liar and the Father Thereof	S. S. Times.	John 8:38-47
He that is of God Heareth God's Words	Family Churchman	John 8:38-47
He was a Murderer from the Beginning	Archdeacon Watkins.	John 8:38-47
Hereditary and Spiritual Interest in the Covenant	Bp. Lake.	John 8:38-47
If We Love God We Shall Receive Christ	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:38-47
Love of the Truth Essential to its Reception	J. Parker, D. D.	John 8:38-47
Love to Jesus the Great Test	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:38-47
Men Hate the Truth	Senhouse., R. Smith.	John 8:38-47
Men Ought to Love Christ as Coming from God	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:38-47
Noble Minds Welcome the Truth	J. Fletcher.	John 8:38-47
Nominal Christians -- Real Infidels	C. H. Spurgeon.	John 8:38-47
Now Ye Seek to Kill Me	F. Godet, D. D.	John 8:38-47
Pious Relatives or Friends Cannot Save Us	J. Trapp.	John 8:38-47
Standing in the Truth	Newman Smyth, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The Absolute Sinlessness of Christ	Canon Liddon.	John 8:38-47
The Children of God and of Satan	J. L. Hurlbut, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The Children of the Devil	J. Brown, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The Christ of History the Revelation of the Perfect Man	Archdeacon Farrar.	John 8:38-47
The Courage and Triumph of Truth	H. H. Dobney.	John 8:38-47
The Devil a Liar and a Murderer	Thos. Fuller	John 8:38-47
The Fate of the Truth Teller		John 8:38-47
The Folly of Unbelief	H. W. Beecher., C. C. Liddell.	John 8:38-47
The Hearer of God's Word	J. Slade, M. A.	John 8:38-47
The Inner Life of Christ	J. Parker, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The Marks of Divine and Diabolic Relationship	J. Fawcett, M. A.	John 8:38-47
The Need of Spiritual Insight to the Discernment of the Truth	J. Parker, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The Perfect Character of Jesus Christ	D. Trinder, M. A.	John 8:38-47
The Rationale of Unbelief	D. Thomas, D. D.	John 8:38-47
The True Children of God	D. Gregg.	John 8:38-47
The Works of Abraham and the Works of the Jews		John 8:38-47
Unbelief, its Cause	T. Carlyle.	John 8:38-47
Unregenerate Souls Do not Love the Truth	S. Charnock.	John 8:38-47
We be not Born of Fornication	F. Godet, D. D., T. Whitelaw, D. D.	John 8:38-47

People

Jesus, Disciples

Places

Jerusalem, Mount of Olives

Topics

Abraham's, Deeds, Replied, Says, Works

Dictionary of Bible Themes

John 8:31-41

5724 offspring

John 8:33-41

5078 Abraham, significance

John 8:39-47

5943 self-deception

Library

Ascension Day
Eversley. Chester Cathedral. 1872. St John viii. 58. "Before Abraham was, I am." Let us consider these words awhile. They are most fit for our thoughts on this glorious day, on which the Lord Jesus ascended to His Father, and to our Father, to His God, and to our God, that He might be glorified with the glory which He had with the Father before the making of the world. For it is clear that we shall better understand Ascension Day, just as we shall better understand Christmas or Eastertide, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

December 18 Evening
Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.--JOHN 8:32. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.--The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.--If the Son . . . shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.--Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 15 Morning
Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.--ROM. 6:14. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.--My brethren, ye . . . are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.--Being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ.--The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 27 Evening
God . . . giveth . . . liberally, and upbraideth not.--JAS. 1:5. Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. The grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many . . . The free gift is of many offences unto justification. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 10 Evening
The perfect law of liberty.--JAS. 1:25. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 28 Evening
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.--PROV. 20:27. He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her . . . And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last. Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.--If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

April 9. "I do Always those Things that Please Him" (John viii. 29).
"I do always those things that please Him" (John viii. 29). It is a good thing to keep short accounts with God. We were very much struck some years ago with an interpretation of this verse: "So every one of us shall give an account of himself to God." The thought conveyed to our mind was, that of accounting to God every day of our lives, so that our accounts were settled daily, and for us judgment was passed, as we lay down on our pillows every night. This is surely the true way to live. It is the …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Light of the World
'... I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'--JOHN viii. 12. Jesus Christ was His own great theme. Whatever be the explanation of the fact, there stands the fact that, if we know anything at all about His habitual tone of teaching, we know that it was full of Himself. We know, too, that what He said about Himself was very unlike the language becoming a wise and humble religious teacher. Both the prominence given to His own personality, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Never in Bondage'
'We... were never in bondage to any man: how gayest Thou, Ye shall be made free!'--JOHN viii. 33. 'Never in bondage to any man'? Then what about Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Syria? Was there not a Roman garrison looking down from the castle into the very Temple courts where this boastful falsehood was uttered? It required some hardihood to say, 'Never in bondage to any man,' in the face of such a history, and such a present. But was it not just an instance of the strange power which we all have and exercise, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Three Aspects of Faith
'Many believed on Him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him....'--JOHN viii. 30,31. The Revised Version accurately represents the original by varying the expression in these two clauses, retaining 'believed on Him' in the former, and substituting the simple 'believed Him' in the latter. The variation in two contiguous clauses can scarcely be accidental in so careful a writer as the Apostle John. And the reason and meaning of it are obvious enough on the face of the narrative. His purpose …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

July the Fifth the Discipleship that Tells
"He that followeth Me." --JOHN viii. 12-20. Yes, but I must make sure that I follow Him in Spirit and in truth. It is so easy to be self-deceived. I may follow a pleasant emotion, while all the time a bit of grim cross-bearing is being ignored. I may be satisfied to be "out on the ocean sailing," singing of "a home beyond the tide," while all the time there is a piece of perilous salvage work to be done beneath the waves. To "follow Jesus" is to face the hostility of scribes and Pharisees, to …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

On the Words of the Gospel, John viii. 31, "If Ye Abide in My Word, Then are Ye Truly My Disciples," Etc.
1. Ye know well, Beloved, that we all have One Master, and are fellow disciples under Him. Nor are we your masters, because we speak to you from this higher spot; but He is the Master of all, who dwelleth in us all. He just now spake to us all in the Gospel, and said to us, what I also am saying to you; but He saith it of us, as well of us as of you. "If ye shall continue in My word," not of course in my word who am now speaking to you; but in His who spake just now out of the Gospel. "If ye shall …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits
The Lord Jesus also told the contradicting sinners that the day would come when cavillers would be convinced. Observe how he put it: "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself." Cavillers may have a fine time of it just now; but they will one day be convinced either to their conversion or their confusion. Let us hope that many will see the truth before they die--early enough to seek and find a Saviour. But many in our Lord's day who discovered …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Of the power of the Word of God, of fiery desires, and the essence of self-renunciation. John viii. 47.--"He who is of God heareth the words of God." DEAR children, ye ought not to cease from hearing or declaring the word of God because you do not alway live according to it, nor keep it in mind. For inasmuch as you love it and crave after it, it will assuredly be given unto you; and you shall enjoy it for ever with God, according to the measure of your desire after it. There are some people who, …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Morgan -- the Perfect Ideal of Life
George Campbell Morgan, Congregational divine and preacher, was born in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, in 1863, and was educated at the Douglas School, Cheltenham. He worked as a lay-mission preacher for the two years ending 1888, and was ordained to the ministry in the following year, when he took charge of the Congregational Church at Stones, Staffordshire. After occupying the pulpit in several pastorates, in 1904 he became pastor of the Westminster Congregational Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10

Freedom.
The Truth shall make you free.... Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.--John viii. 32, 34-36. As this passage stands, I have not been able to make sense of it. No man could be in the house of the Father in virtue of being the servant of sin; yet this man is in the house as a servant, and the house in which he serves is not the house of sin, …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all Its Vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. 2. His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Tobacco.
Tobacco wastes the body. It is used for the nicotine that is in it. This peculiar ingredient is a poisonous, oily, colorless liquid, and gives to tobacco its odor. This odor and the flavor of tobacco are developed by fermentation in the process of preparation for use. "Poison" is commonly defined as "any substance that when taken into the system acts in an injurious manner, tending to cause death or serious detriment to health." And different poisons are defined as those which act differently upon …
J. M. Judy—Questionable Amusements and Worthy Substitutes

Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
(Jerusalem. October, a.d. 29.) ^D John VIII. 12-59. ^d 12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. [The metaphor of light was common, and signified knowledge and life; darkness is opposed to light, being the symbol of ignorance and death.] 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true. [They perhaps recalled the words of Jesus …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Sin.
The time was when there was no sin in this world. At that time it was an Eden. By man transgressing God's holy law sin entered this world. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. This is the origin of sin in this world and the awful consequence. God's design was that his creation be sinless and pure, but by disobedience sin has marred the scene of God's creative purity. The following texts will …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Course of the World.
Unmistakably there exists a wide gulf of separation between the children of God and the children of the world. Christ is the only avenue of escape from the world. The wide, open door of salvation is the exit. He who would return from the blissful shores of Christianity to the beggarly elements of the world can do so only on the transporting barges of Satan. As a tree is known by its fruits, so is a true follower of Christ. The fruit borne by a Christian is directly opposite in its nature to the fruit …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The First Chapter: Imitating Christ and Despising all Vanities on Earth
HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord (John 8:12). By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ. The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they …
Thomas À Kempis—The Imitation of Christ

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