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JOHN 8:39 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 8:38John 8:40
“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.”
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 — the authorities insist Abraham is their father. Jesus establishes the true criterion of spiritual parenthood: deeds, not genealogy. 'If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham'—Abraham believed God and was faithful; the works of Abraham (faith, obedience, hospitality) would characterize his true children. The authorities claim descent but lack the faith and obedience that define Abraham's legacy.

Church Fathers on John 8:39

The Jews had asserted they were free, because they were Abraham’s seed. Our Lord replies, I know that you are Abraham’s seed; as if to say, I know that you are the sons of Abraham, but according to the flesh, not spiritually and by faith. So He adds, But you seek to kill Me.

Augustine · 4th century

He says this, that they might not attempt to answer, that they had no sin. He reminds them of a present sin; a sin which they had been meditating for some time past, and which was actually at this moment in their thoughts: putting out of the question their general course of life. He thus removes them by degrees out of their relationship to Abraham, teaching them not to pride themselves so much upon it: for that, as bondage and freedom were the consequences of works, so was…

Chrysostom · 4th century

whereas men, to whom the revelation is made, were not witnesses.

Origen · 3rd century · This is proof that our Savior was witness to what was done with the Father
Read all 21 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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John 8:39 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy