8:36a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces a conclusion Jesus makes from what he just said. The son of a family always has rights as a member of that family. Therefore, because Jesus is the Son of God, he has the right to free people from slavery (being slaves).

if the Son sets you free: This conditional clause refers to the Son of God releasing people from slavery. They will then be free in the sense that they will not be forced to serve a master against their will. They will be free not to sin. This clause implies that the people to whom Jesus spoke were slaves. They needed someone to set them free. Here are some other ways that this clause may be translated:

if the Son makes you free (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
If the Son gives you freedom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
if the Son frees/releases you

the Son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as the Son is the same phrase as “the son” in 8:35b. However, here Christ begins to speak directly of himself as the Son of God instead of using a metaphor. The Berean Standard Bible has indicated this by using a capital S in Son. You may do the same if it is natural in your language. It is also possible to continue to say “the son” and allow the context to indicate the change in meaning. Or here is another way to make the meaning clear:

God’s Son

This phrase is a short form of “the Son of God,” which is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus.

See how you translated this phrase at 5:19. For further information, see the note on the phrase “the Son of God” at 1:34.

8:36b

you will be free indeed: This phrase emphasizes that this person will no longer be a slave. He or she will have true freedom. The word indeed means “actually” or “truly” and is used for emphasis. Emphasize this in the way that is natural in your language. For example:

you will be really free (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
you will be absolutely free (God’s Word)
-or-
you are truly free (New Living Translation (2004))

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