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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 8:31 - 8:33
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_8:31-33
31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become free'?"
Joh_8:31 "If you abide" This is a third class conditional sentence which means potential action. This emphasis on continuing faith is also expressed clearly in John 15. This is the missing element in evangelical gospel proclamation. The word is to be believed (cf. Joh_5:24), obeyed, and abided in. See Special Topic: Abiding at 1Jn_2:10.
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▣ "in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" Jesus emphasized lifestyle obedience (to His commands, cf. Joh_8:51-52; Joh_8:55; Joh_14:15; Joh_14:21; Joh_14:23-24; Joh_15:10; Joh_15:20; Joh_17:6; Luk_6:46; 2Jn_1:9). In a sense this verse reflects the shema, a Hebrew word that means "to hear so as to do" (i.e., Deu_6:4-6).
Joh_8:32 "you will know" This is used in the OT sense of "know," which meant "personal relationship," not in the sense of "cognitive truth" (cf. Gen_4:1; Jer_1:5). Truth is a person! This verse, which is so often found on institutions of learning, does not refer to accumulated human knowledge. That has proved to divide and bind, not free, humans. The "truth" spoken of here is the gospel and person of Jesus Christ. There is no truth, peace, or hope apart from Him!
Joh_8:32; Joh_8:40; Joh_8:44-46 "the truth" This is the key concept of the context. This term has two connotations.
1. trustworthiness
2. truth versus falsehood
Both connotations are true of the life and ministry of Jesus. He is both the content and goal of the gospel. Truth is primarily a person! Jesus reveals the personal Father. This verse is often taken out of context and used in educational settings. Facts, even true facts, even lots of true facts, do not set one free (cf. Ecc_1:18). See Special Topic on Truth at Joh_6:55; Joh_17:3.
Joh_8:32 "make you free" Believers are free from legalism, ritualism, and performance oriented, human religiosity. Yet free believers bind themselves for the sake of the gospel (cf. Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:6; 1 Corinthians 8-10).
Joh_8:33 "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone" It is amazing how blind racial pride can be. What about Egypt, Syria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Syria, and Rome?