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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 8:37 I know you are Abraham's descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-37.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/43_Jhn_08_37.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:37 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I know you are Abraham's descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/8-37.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/8-37.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 37</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-36.htm" title="John 8:36">◄</a> John 8:37 <a href="/john/8-38.htm" title="John 8:38">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> I know that you are Abraham&#8217s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill Me because My word receives no place in you. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you are seeking to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I know that you are Abraham&#8217s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I know that you are Abraham’s offspring; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I know that you are Abraham’s seed; yet you are seeking to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no place [to grow] in you [and it makes no change in your heart]. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me because my word has no place among you. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> I know that ye are Abraham's seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I know that you are from Abraham's family. Yet you want to kill me, because my message isn't really in your hearts. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> I know that ye are Abraham's seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I know that you're Abraham's descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don't like what I'm saying. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me because you've not received what I've told you. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I know you are Abraham?s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham's descendants. But you want to kill me, because my teaching makes no progress among you. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham's descendants, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I know that ye are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill me, because my teaching gains no ground within you. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I have known that you are seed of Abraham, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill Me because My word receives no place in you. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'I have known that ye are seed of Abraham, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, for my word has no place in you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I know that you are the children of Abraham: but you seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I know that you are sons of Abraham. But you are seeking to kill me, because my word has not taken hold in you. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I know you are the seed of Abraham; but still you want to kill me, because you have no room in you for my word. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “I know you are the seed of Abraham, but you seek to kill me because you cannot comprehend my word.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I know that you are the posterity of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>I know ye are the seed of Abraham; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I know that ye are Abraham?s seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I know you are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my doctrine doth not penetrate into you. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill me, because my teaching gains no ground within you. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye are seeking to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I know that ye are the seed of Abraham, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2989" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Children of the Devil</a> …36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37<a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: Oida (V-RIA-1S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">I know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham’s</a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: sperma (N-NNS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">descendants,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zēteite (V-PIA-2P) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">you are trying</a> <a href="/greek/615.htm" title="615: apokteinai (V-ANA) -- To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.">to kill</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emos (PPro-NM1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logos (N-NMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/5562.htm" title="5562: chōrei (V-PIA-3S) -- From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit.">has no place</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">within</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you.</a> 38I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-8</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ... <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-12</a> and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19-21</a> But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. / As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. / But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17-18</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a> A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13-16</a> For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, / because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. ... <a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a> The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4-6</a> Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” / Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a> And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a> Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/acts/13-26.htm">Acts 13:26</a> Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. <a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Romans 11:1</a> I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. <a href="/romans/11-28.htm">Romans 11:28</a> Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.know.<a href="/john/8-33.htm">John 8:33</a> They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?<a href="/acts/13-26.htm">Acts 13:26</a> Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.<a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7</a> Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.but.<a href="/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6,40,59</a> This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not… <a href="/john/5-16.htm">John 5:16-18</a> And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day… <a href="/john/7-1.htm">John 7:1,19,25</a> After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him… because.<a href="/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43,45-47</a> Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word… <a href="/john/5-44.htm">John 5:44</a> How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?<a href="/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39-43</a> Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-33.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Course</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/john/7-44.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/mark/16-3.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/john/1-43.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Free</a> <a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Gains</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/john/8-22.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/john/7-17.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/john/8-21.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/john/8-31.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/7-19.htm">Want</a> <a href="/john/7-38.htm">Within</a> <a href="/john/8-31.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-39.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-39.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/13-3.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Course</a> <a href="/acts/2-30.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/20-1.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-6.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/john/11-44.htm">Free</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Gains</a> <a href="/john/9-6.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/john/14-2.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/john/12-24.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Want</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Within</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>I know you are Abraham’s descendants Jesus acknowledges the physical lineage of His audience, the Jewish people, who are descendants of Abraham. This reference to Abraham is significant because it connects to the covenant God made with Abraham, promising that his descendants would be numerous and blessed (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). The Jewish identity is deeply rooted in this patriarchal lineage, and being a descendant of Abraham was a source of pride and religious identity. However, Jesus is about to challenge the notion that physical descent alone is sufficient for true kinship with Abraham.but you are trying to kill Me Despite their heritage, Jesus points out the contradiction in their actions. The desire to kill Jesus reveals a spiritual disconnect from the faith and righteousness of Abraham, who was known for his obedience and faith in God (<a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>). This accusation highlights the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who saw Him as a threat to their authority and traditions. Historically, this reflects the increasing opposition Jesus faced during His ministry, leading to His eventual crucifixion.because My word has no place within you Jesus identifies the root cause of their hostility: a rejection of His teachings. The "word" refers to the message of the Gospel, which includes repentance, faith, and the coming of God's kingdom. The phrase suggests a spiritual blindness or hardness of heart, as seen in other parts of Scripture where people are unable to accept divine truth (<a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a>). This rejection is not just intellectual but moral and spiritual, indicating a lack of receptivity to God's revelation. The inability to accept Jesus' word contrasts with the faith of Abraham, who listened to and obeyed God's voice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and people who are questioning His authority and teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Jewish nation, revered as the father of faith. Jesus acknowledges the physical lineage of His audience to Abraham. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The religious authorities who are in opposition to Jesus, questioning His claims and seeking to undermine His ministry. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, a city central to Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_attempt_to_kill_jesus.htm">The Attempt to Kill Jesus</a> This event highlights the growing tension and hostility between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who are plotting against Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_lineage_is_spiritual,_not_just_physical.htm">True Lineage is Spiritual, Not Just Physical</a> Jesus challenges the notion that physical descent from Abraham is sufficient for righteousness. True children of Abraham are those who accept and live by God's word. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_rejecting_god's_word.htm">The Danger of Rejecting God's Word</a> The Jewish leaders' rejection of Jesus' teachings illustrates the peril of allowing cultural or religious pride to blind us to God's truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_making_room_for_god's_word.htm">The Importance of Making Room for God's Word</a> Jesus points out that His word has no place within them. Believers must actively make room in their hearts and lives for God's word to transform them. <a href="/topical/h/hostility_towards_truth.htm">Hostility Towards Truth</a> The desire to kill Jesus reflects a broader human tendency to resist and oppose uncomfortable truths. Believers are called to embrace truth, even when it challenges us. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_heritage.htm">Faith Over Heritage</a> Spiritual heritage and identity are rooted in faith and obedience to God, not merely in ancestry or tradition.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_beatific_vision.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'your father the devil'?</a> <a href="/q/is_everyone_genuinely_a_child_of_god.htm">Is everyone genuinely a child of God?</a> <a href="/q/are_you_foolish.htm">Does your faith determine your outcomes?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_god's_timing_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about God's timing?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(37) I know that ye are Abraham's seed.--He uses the word which they had used in <a href="/john/8-33.htm" title="They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?">John 8:33</a>, acknowledging their merely physical descent from Abraham. He has since used the word "Son," but does not apply it to them. In <a href="/john/8-39.htm" title="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</a> He refuses to acknowledge that they are Abraham's "children."But ye seek to kill me.--The difficulty of understanding these words to refer to those who believed on Him (<a href="/context/john/8-30.htm" title="As he spoke these words, many believed on him.">John 8:30-31</a>), have led to the opinion that others of the hierarchy answer in <a href="/john/8-33.htm" title="They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?">John 8:33</a>. This seems unnatural, and is opposed to the words which immediately follow. As a party, they had been, and still were, seeking to kill Him. These believers, by their question in <a href="/john/8-33.htm" title="They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?">John 8:33</a>, were showing the spirit which declined discipleship, were identifying themselves with His opponents. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 37. - I know (οϊδα, I know absolutely, I do not come to know it from your retort) that ye are the seed of Abraham. They belonged to the noble race, "whose are the fathers;" they were the σπέρμα of him who received the promises. Christ admitted the pedigree, but he proceeds to show that mere hereditary descent would be of no avail to them apart from moral considerations. These ideas, these revolutionary conceptions, so far as Judaism was concerned, were not the evolution of Christian ideas in the second century. It is most instructive to see how clearly St. Paul had already grasped them, and woven them into a powerful argument when dealing with the Judaizers in Galatia, many years before this Gospel was written (see the entire argument of <a href="/galatians/3.htm">Galatians 3</a>, which thus rests on the teaching of the Christ himself). But ye seek to kill me. This charge is certainly difficult to suppose applicable to those who "had come to believe in him" (ver. 31). One of three suppositions must be made - either (1) the believing Jews were surrounded by angry groups of his bitter enemies, to whom he here addressed himself; or (2) the Lord spoke here to them as representing the large company of Jerusalem opponents, whom he knew at that moment to be planning his death, and as all orators and debaters are in the habit of dealing with opposing arguments by showing the character they assume in others, who make them their boast; or (3) those who had come to believe him up to a certain point had as rapidly relapsed, at the first touch of spiritual proof, into disbelief and cruel hostility. This seems the more natural interpretation of the fact, which may, at the same time, have become patent from some angry manifestation of his implacable foes. There is much to be found in the background and scenery of this dramatic colloquy, reported with such extreme brevity, which would, if we exactly knew how to paint it, solve its difficulties. Ye seek to slay me, because my word - the word which is mine - makes no progress - or, advance - in you. Ξωρέω has both transitive and intransitive meanings; thus it means "leave," "depart," "turn," or "come to," with εἰς (<a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, "contain;" <a href="/john/2-6.htm">John 2:6</a>; <a href="/john/21-25.htm">John 21:25</a>; <a href="/mark/2-2.htm">Mark 2:2</a>); but it has the force frequently in Plato "to make progress or advance," and it has this force here. So Meyer, Westcott, R.T., etc. (Luthardt and Tholuck suggest "find entrance," which would require εἰς rather than ἐν). Not only did they not continue in Christ's word (ver. 31), but the word itself made no way in their minds; it was barred out by prejudices, and thus choked at its very first working. Christ thus represents his word first as the very atmosphere and home in which his true disciples abide, and then as a powerful influence which grows evermore in power and command as it is pondered. It means more and more to those who abide in it; it implicitly contains a whole universe of truth and reality, of impulse and motive, for those who allow to it "free course" - who are of the truth, and hear his voice. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I know Οἶδα (Oida) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. you are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. Abraham’s Ἀβραάμ (Abraam) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. descendants, σπέρμα (sperma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. you are trying ζητεῖτέ (zēteite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. to kill ἀποκτεῖναι (apokteinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_615.htm">Strong's 615: </a> To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. Me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. My ἐμὸς (emos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. word λόγος (logos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. has no place χωρεῖ (chōrei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5562.htm">Strong's 5562: </a> From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit. within ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:37 I know that you are Abraham's seed (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:38" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>