Section 8:31–38

Jesus taught truth that frees people

In this section Jesus said that if his believers continued in his word, they would be true disciples. They would know the truth and the truth would make them free. But some people argued that they were never slaves. To them, Jesus said that those who sin are slaves of sin, but the Son could make them free. However, he said that they wanted to kill him because they rejected what he said.

Here are some other possible section headings:

The truth sets people free
-or-
Sin makes people slaves, but the Son makes them free

Paragraph 8:31–33

Jesus spoke to those who said that they believed in him. He said that to follow and obey him was the way to freedom. Some who heard him rejected this, saying that as the children of Abraham they were already free.

8:31a

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him: The phrase the Jews who had believed Him refers to those people that were mentioned in 8:30. These people now believed in Jesus. Because everyone there was Jewish, and no contrast is intended with Gentiles, some translations do not mention the Jews. For example:

So Jesus said to those who believed in him (Good News Translation)

believed Him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as believed Him is slightly different than the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “believed in Him” in 8:30. However, the meaning is basically the same, and some English versions, such as the New Revised Standard Version, translate the two phrases in the same way. Most scholars agree that the two phrases have the same meaning in these verses and refer to the same people. See the note in 8:30 and how you translated the phrase there.

had faith in him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
who had believed
-or-
trusted in him

8:31b

If you continue in My word: This is a conditional clause. It refers to continuing to believe and obey Jesus’ message. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

If you continue to follow my teaching (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
If you continue believing/obeying my teaching
-or-
If you live by what I say (God’s Word)

8:31c

you are truly My disciples: This clause indicates that it is followers who believe and obey who are really Jesus’ disciples. They are disciples in fact and in reality. They do not just call themselves disciples. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you are really my disciples (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
you (plur.) are my true followers

General Comment on 8:31b–c

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 8:31b–c. For example:

31c You are truly my disciples 31b if you remain faithful to my teachings. (New Living Translation (2004))

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