Abraham’s Children and the Devil’s Children

8:31 Then Jesus said to those Judeans65 who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching,66 you are really67 my disciples 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”68 8:33 “We are descendants69 of Abraham,” they replied,70 “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say,71 ‘You will become free’?” 8:34 Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth,72 everyone who practices73 sin is a slave74 of sin. 8:35 The slave does not remain in the family75 forever, but the son remains forever.76 8:36 So if the son77 sets you free, you will be really free. 8:37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants.78 But you want79 to kill me, because my teaching80 makes no progress among you.81 8:38 I am telling you the things I have seen while with the82 Father;83 as for you,84 practice the things you have heard from the85 Father!”

8:39 They answered him,86 “Abraham is our father!”87 Jesus replied,88 “If you are89 Abraham’s children, you would be doing90 the deeds of Abraham. 8:40 But now you are trying91 to kill me, a man who has told you92 the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!93 8:41 You people94 are doing the deeds of your father.”

Then95 they said to Jesus,96 “We were not born as a result of immorality!97 We have only one Father, God himself.” 8:42 Jesus replied,98 “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here.99 I100 have not come on my own initiative,101 but he102 sent me. 8:43 Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept103 my teaching.104 8:44 You people105 are from106 your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires.107 He108 was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth,109 because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies,110 he speaks according to his own nature,111 because he is a liar and the father of lies.112 8:45 But because I am telling you113 the truth, you do not believe me. 8:46 Who among you can prove me guilty114 of any sin?115 If I am telling you116 the truth, why don’t you believe me? 8:47 The one who belongs to117 God listens and responds118 to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond,119 because you don’t belong to God.”120

8:48 The Judeans121 replied,122 “Aren’t we correct in saying123 that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?”124 8:49 Jesus answered, “I am not possessed by a demon,125 but I honor my Father—and yet126 you dishonor me. 8:50 I am not trying to get127 praise for myself.128 There is one who demands129 it, and he also judges.130 8:51 I tell you the solemn truth,131 if anyone obeys132 my teaching,133 he will never see death.”134

8:52 Then135 the Judeans136 responded,137 “Now we know you’re possessed by a demon!138 Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet139 you say, ‘If anyone obeys140 my teaching,141 he will never experience142 death.’143 8:53 You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you?144 And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?” 8:54 Jesus replied,145 “If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless.146 The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people147 say, ‘He is our God.’ 8:55 Yet148 you do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him,149 I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey150 his teaching.151 8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed152 to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.”153

8:57 Then the Judeans154 replied,155 “You are not yet fifty years old!156 Have157 you seen Abraham?” 8:58 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth,158 before Abraham came into existence,159 I am!”160 8:59 Then they picked up161 stones to throw at him,162 but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.163