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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 8:39 "Abraham is our father," they replied. "If you were children of Abraham," said Jesus, "you would do the works of Abraham.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/43_Jhn_08_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:39 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Abraham is our father, they replied. If you were children of Abraham, said Jesus, you would do the works of Abraham." /><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/8-39.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/8-39.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 39</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="/ad19.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/8-38.htm" title="John 8:38">◄</a> John 8:39 <a href="/john/8-40.htm" title="John 8:40">►</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> &#8220Abraham is our father,&#8221 they answered. &#8220If you were Abraham&#8217s children,&#8221 said Jesus, &#8220then you would do what Abraham did. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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, <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus says to them, "If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> They answered and said to Him, &#8220Abraham is our father.&#8221 Jesus said to them, &#8220If you are Abraham&#8217s children, do the deeds of Abraham. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, you would do the deeds of Abraham. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They answered, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are [truly] Abraham’s children, then do the works of Abraham and follow his example. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Our father is Abraham,” they replied. “If you were Abraham’s children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Our father is Abraham!&#8221 they replied. &#8220If you were Abraham&#8217s children,&#8221 Jesus told them, &#8220you would do what Abraham did. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The people said to Jesus, "Abraham is our father!" Jesus replied, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Jews replied to Jesus, "Abraham is our father." Jesus told them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." "If you really were Abraham's children," Jesus replied, "you would do the same things that he did. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> They replied to him, "Our father is Abraham!" Jesus told them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Abraham is our father,? they replied. ?If you were children of Abraham,? said Jesus, ?you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> They answered him, "Abraham is our father!" Jesus replied, "If you are Abraham's children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> They answered and said to Him, “Our father is Abraham”; Jesus says to them, “If you were children of Abraham, the works of Abraham you were doing; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus says to them, "If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> They answered and said to him, 'Our father is Abraham;' Jesus saith to them, 'If children of Abraham ye were, the works of Abraham ye were doing; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> They answered and said to him, Abraham is our Father. Jesus says to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye had done Abraham's works.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They answered, and said to him: Abraham is our father. Jesus saith to them: If you be the children of Abraham, do the works of Abraham. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> They responded and said to him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them: “If you are the sons of Abraham, then do the works of Abraham. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They answered and said to him, Our own father is Abraham. Jesus said to them, If you were the sons of Abraham, you would be doing the works of Abraham. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> They answered and were saying to him, “Abraham is our father.” Yeshua said to them, “If you were children of Abraham, you would have been doing the works of Abraham.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> They answered and said to him: Abraham is our father.<CM>Jesus said to them: If you were the children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> They responded and said to Him, Abraham is our Father. Jesus says to them, <FR>If you were the children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> They answered and said unto him, Our Father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were the children of Abraham, ye would have done the works of Abraham. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> they answered him, Abraham is our father, if you were Abraham's children, said Jesus, you would act like Abraham. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> They answered and said to Him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus saith to them, <FR>"If ye are children of Abraham, ye are doing the works of Abraham.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> They answered Him, Abraham is our father, Jesus replied, <FR>If ye were the children of Abraham, ye would do the works of Abraham:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-39.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=3005" 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> …38I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39<a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-NMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">“Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</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/3962.htm" title="3962: patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father,”</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithēsan (V-AIP-3P) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">they replied.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</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 were</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-NNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">of Abraham,” </a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></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/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus,</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoieite (V-IIA-2P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">“you would do</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: erga (N-ANP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">works</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">of Abraham.</a> 40But 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.…<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/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a> Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. <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="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-24</a> Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. ... <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="/romans/4-12.htm">Romans 4:12</a> And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16</a> Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-19</a> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a> Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a> No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Genesis 18:19</a> For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> 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/22-16.htm">Genesis 22:16-18</a> saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / 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="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a> Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.Abraham.<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?If.<a href="/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37</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="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a> And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.<a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Matthew 5:45</a> That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-37.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/john/7-7.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/7-18.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-40.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Children</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/john/8-42.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Works</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>“Abraham is our father,” they replied. The Jewish leaders assert their lineage from Abraham, emphasizing their ethnic and religious heritage. In Jewish tradition, Abraham is considered the patriarch of the Israelites, and being his descendant was a source of pride and identity (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). This claim reflects a common belief among Jews of the time that their physical descent from Abraham guaranteed them a special status before God. However, this statement also reveals a misunderstanding of what it means to be a true child of Abraham, which Jesus addresses. The reliance on ancestry rather than faith and obedience is a recurring theme in the Gospels (<a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a>).“If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, Jesus challenges their claim by introducing a conditional statement. He distinguishes between mere physical descent and spiritual kinship. In the biblical context, being a true child of Abraham involves more than just lineage; it requires emulating Abraham's faith and actions. This echoes the teaching found in <a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Romans 9:6-8</a>, where Paul explains that not all descendants of Israel are true Israelites, but rather those who share in the faith of Abraham. Jesus is pointing out that true kinship with Abraham is marked by faith and righteousness, not just heritage.“you would do the works of Abraham.” Jesus emphasizes that true children of Abraham would emulate his deeds. Abraham is known for his faith and obedience to God, as seen in his willingness to leave his homeland (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-4</a>) and his readiness to sacrifice Isaac (<a href="/genesis/22.htm">Genesis 22:1-18</a>). These acts of faith are what Jesus refers to as the "works of Abraham." The implication is that the Jewish leaders, by not believing in Jesus and opposing His mission, are not acting in the spirit of Abraham. This statement aligns with <a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a>, which highlights that Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his actions. Jesus is calling for a faith that is active and transformative, reflecting the true nature of being a child of Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and challenging their understanding of spiritual lineage. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Jewish faith, revered as the father of the nation of Israel and a model of faith and obedience. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, who claim Abraham as their father and are confident in their heritage. 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 many of Jesus' teachings. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, much of <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">John 8</a> takes place in the temple courts, a significant place for Jewish worship and teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_lineage_vs._physical_lineage.htm">Spiritual Lineage vs. Physical Lineage</a> True spiritual heritage is determined by faith and actions, not merely by ancestry or tradition. <a href="/topical/f/faith_demonstrated_through_works.htm">Faith Demonstrated Through Works</a> Like Abraham, our faith should be evident in our actions. Faith without works is incomplete. <a href="/topical/c/challenge_of_hypocrisy.htm">Challenge of Hypocrisy</a> Jesus challenges us to examine whether our lives reflect the faith we profess. Are we living as true children of God? <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Abraham's life was marked by obedience to God. We are called to follow his example in our daily walk with God. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> Our identity as Christians is rooted in our relationship with Christ, not in our religious or cultural background.<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/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'i_am'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Before Abraham was, I am'?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'your_father'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "your father the devil"?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'spiritual_israel'_mean.htm">What does "spiritual Israel" mean?</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>(39) They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.--They feel the meaning which has not yet been expressed (comp. <a href="/john/8-44.htm" title="You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.">John 8:44</a>), and claim the descent from Abraham which He has already allowed (<a href="/john/8-37.htm" title="I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.">John 8:37</a>).If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.--Almost all the better MSS. read, "If ye are," for "If ye were." This must mean, "If ye are Abraham's children--but the supposition is excluded, for ye would do the works of Abraham, and this is opposed to fact." They are the physical seed of the patriarch, but they are not the ethical children, for the true child would bear the moral impress of the father which would be seen in his works. The thought of the previous verse is again present here.The distinction between "seed" and "children" is another instance of an idea which meets us in this section, and was developed in the writings of St. Paul. (Comp. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm" title="Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your seed be called.">Romans 9:7</a> et seq.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 39. - They answered and said. If the second interpretation be accepted, then, irritated by the suggestion that "the Father" whose properties and claims he saw and revealed to them was different from "the father" whose nature and ways they "heard" and practised, and counting, moreover, on the concession of the fact that they were Abraham's "seed," they cried, Our father is Abraham; we are spiritually, ethically, related to him, and if we are doing that which we have heard from our father, then we can claim that all we are doing is along the lines of our Abrahamic dignity. But if ver. 38 be regarded as a final expostulation, according to the first of the interpretations of ποιεῖτε, then the Jews merely disclosed their determination to misapprehend the plain words of the Divine Lord, and when he was reminding them of the Father, of their Father, they at once stood back upon their hereditary pride, and declared that they were doing the works of their great ancestor. Jesus saith to them, If ye are Abraham's children, as you say - for the position of "children" is involved in the idea and claim of spiritual Fatherhood which ye boast - then, with such spiritual and ethical relations as these, ye would do the works of Abraham - works of faith; you would be open to the access of spiritual revelations with childlike simplicity; you would have accepted the heavenly voice; you would have known whence it came; you would have resembled him in his moral sensitiveness, in his gentle loving kindness, in his victorious faith; but - <a href="/commentaries/john/8-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Abraham Ἀβραάμ (Abraam) Noun - Nominative 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. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <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. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. father,” πατὴρ (patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. they replied. Ἀπεκρίθησαν (Apekrithēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you were 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. children τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. of Abraham,” 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. said Λέγει (Legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Jesus, Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. “you would do ἐποιεῖτε (epoieite) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. the τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. works ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. of Abraham. Ἀβραὰμ (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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-39.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:39 They answered him Our father is Abraham (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:40" /></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>