Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,b you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”c

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendantsd and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.e 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.f 36 So if the Son sets you free,g you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,h because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,i and you are doing what you have heard from your father.b”j

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”k said Jesus, “then you wouldc do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,l a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.m Abraham did not do such things.