8:37a
I know you are Abraham’s descendants: This clause indicates that Jesus knew that the religious leaders were from Abraham’s family. He knew this, and they knew this. Jesus accepted that this was true. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
I know that you are from Abraham’s family. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I know you are Abraham’s children. (New Century Version)
-or-
Yes, I realize that you are Abraham’s descendants. (New Living Translation (2004))
8:37b
but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but indicates contrast. Yes, they were Abraham’s descendants, but they did things that Abraham did not do. What they did was very different than anything Abraham would do. Here are other ways to translate this conjunction:
yet (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
However (God’s Word)
you are trying to kill Me: This clause indicates that the religious leaders wanted the authorities to punish Jesus with death. See the note on 7:1c. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
you are ready to kill me (New International Version)
-or-
you want to kill me (Contemporary English Version)
8:37c
because: This conjunction here introduces the reason the religious leaders were so opposed to Jesus that they wanted to kill him.
My word has no place within you: This clause is a figure of speech. It means that the religious leaders would not listen to what Jesus said. He told them many times that he wanted to save them. Here are some ways to translate this clause:
there’s no room in your hearts for my message (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you don’t like what I’m saying (God’s Word)
-or-
you refuse to accept what I say
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