John 8:37

KJV

I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

KJV (with Strong's)

I know {G1492} that {G3754} ye are {G2075} Abraham's {G11} seed {G4690}; but {G235} ye seek {G2212} to kill {G615} me {G3165}, because {G3754} my {G1699} word {G3056} hath {G5562} no {G3756} place {G5562} in {G1722} you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I know you are the seed of Avraham. Yet you are out to kill me, because what I am saying makes no headway in you.

Berean Standard Bible

I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.

American Standard Version

I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:37, Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders, acknowledging their physical descent from Abraham while sharply contrasting it with their spiritual hostility. He reveals that their desire to kill Him stems from their unwillingness to receive or internalize His divine message, highlighting a profound spiritual disconnect despite their proud lineage. This verse underscores the critical distinction between outward religious identity and an inward receptiveness to God's truth, exposing the root cause of their escalating opposition to Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 8:37](/john/8-37 "John 8:37 - Jesus Confronts Jewish Leaders") is embedded within a highly charged and escalating debate between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in the Temple treasury, as described in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus Debates with Jewish Leaders"). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has declared Himself the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")) and engaged in a challenging exchange about His origin, testimony, and the true nature of freedom. The leaders, proud of their Abrahamic heritage, repeatedly assert their physical lineage as a basis for their authority and righteousness. Jesus's statement in [John 8:37](/john/8-37 "John 8:37 - Jesus Confronts Jewish Leaders") directly responds to their claims, setting the stage for His profound declarations about true spiritual sonship (e.g., [John 8:39-47](/john/8-39-47 "John 8:39-47 - True Children of Abraham")) and His pre-existence before Abraham ([John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham Was, I Am")), which ultimately leads them to attempt to stone Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the Jewish people of Jesus's time, descent from Abraham was a paramount source of national and religious identity, pride, and perceived privilege. They believed that being "Abraham's seed" ([John 8:33](/john/8-33 "John 8:33 - We are Abraham's Seed")) automatically guaranteed their standing with God and their inheritance of His promises. This lineage was seen as a shield against judgment and a badge of spiritual superiority. The Temple, where this discourse takes place, was the heart of Jewish worship and national identity, further emphasizing the significance of their claims within that sacred space. Jesus's challenge to their understanding of Abrahamic sonship would have been deeply offensive, as it directly undermined their most cherished theological and cultural assumptions about their relationship with God and their place in salvation history.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is the **contrast between physical and spiritual lineage**. Jesus acknowledges their physical heritage but immediately pivots to their spiritual condition, implying that true sonship is defined by faith and obedience, not mere bloodline ([John 8:39](/john/8-39 "John 8:39 - If you were Abraham's children...")). Another crucial theme is the **rejection of Christ's word**. Their inability to receive His message ("my word hath no place in you") is presented as the fundamental reason for their hostility and murderous intent, highlighting the spiritual blindness that prevents them from recognizing God's truth incarnate. This rejection underscores the **nature of unbelief**, which manifests not merely as intellectual disagreement but as an active, even violent, opposition to divine revelation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, this verb means "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." Here, Jesus's use of "I know" signifies a deep, intuitive, and authoritative understanding of their true nature, beyond mere observation. He knows their physical lineage is a fact, but also their spiritual disposition.
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** From G2212, this word means "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, it clearly denotes a malicious and deliberate intent to harm or kill Jesus, revealing their active hostility and plotting.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic... reasoning... by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)." Here, "my word" refers to Jesus's teachings, His message, and ultimately, His very person as the incarnate Word of God. The fact that this "word" has no place in them is a profound indictment of their spiritual state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know that ye are Abraham's seed;":** Jesus affirms their physical lineage, acknowledging the historical and biological fact of their descent from Abraham. This statement validates their claim on one level, preventing them from dismissing His subsequent critique as mere ignorance of their heritage. It sets up the crucial distinction between physical and spiritual sonship.
* **"but ye seek to kill me,":** This clause immediately introduces the stark contradiction. Despite their Abrahamic heritage, their actions demonstrate a profound spiritual antithesis to Abraham's faith. Their "seeking to kill" Jesus reveals a deep-seated animosity and murderous intent, which is the antithesis of the reception and obedience characteristic of true children of God.
* **"because my word hath no place in you.":** This is the explanatory clause, providing the reason for their hostility. The phrase "hath no place in you" (from G5562, _chōréō_) signifies that Jesus's message has found no room, no reception, no dwelling place, and no opportunity to take root and transform their hearts. It implies an active resistance and spiritual impermeability rather than a simple lack of understanding, indicating a willful rejection of divine truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing the Jewish leaders' physical lineage ("Abraham's seed") with their spiritual condition ("ye seek to kill me"). This highlights the chasm between outward identity and inward reality. There is also significant **Irony** in their claim to be Abraham's children while simultaneously attempting to murder the very one who perfectly embodies God's promises to Abraham. Abraham was known for his faith and obedience, while these "children" demonstrate profound unbelief and hostility. Furthermore, the phrase "my word hath no place in you" uses **Metaphor** to describe the spiritual state of their hearts, likening it to a space that is either occupied, unwelcoming, or simply incapable of containing Jesus's truth. This suggests a spiritual barrenness or active resistance to the divine seed of the Word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:37 profoundly illustrates the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual lineage over physical descent. While the Jewish people prided themselves on being "Abraham's seed," Jesus consistently challenged the idea that this alone guaranteed salvation or a right relationship with God. True sonship, according to Jesus, is demonstrated by obedience to His word and by doing the works of God, which Abraham himself exemplified through faith. Their desire to kill Jesus, rather than embrace His life-giving message, exposes their spiritual parentage as being from "your father the devil" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "You are of your father the devil")), a stark contrast to Abraham's faith. This verse sets the stage for the broader New Testament teaching that the true children of Abraham are those who share his faith, regardless of ethnic background.

* [Romans 9:6-8](/romans/9-6-8 "Not all Israel is Israel")
* [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham")
* [Matthew 3:9](/matthew/3-9 "God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:37 is a potent reminder that outward religious affiliation or inherited privilege does not guarantee an authentic relationship with God. The Jewish leaders were proud of their physical lineage, yet their hearts were closed to the very Son of God standing before them. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly make "place" for Christ's word within us? Is His teaching welcomed, received, and allowed to transform our inner being, or do we, perhaps subtly, resist its implications for our lives, our comfort zones, or our preconceived notions? The verse warns against the danger of a hardened heart, where even divine truth finds no fertile ground, potentially leading to hostility towards God's will. True spiritual life is marked by a humble and receptive posture towards the Word, allowing it to take root, grow, and bear fruit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting or failing to make "place" for Christ's word?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate that I am a spiritual child of Abraham, characterized by faith and obedience, rather than just a nominal follower?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive heart to God's truth, even when it challenges my comfort or understanding?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus acknowledge them as "Abraham's seed" if they were trying to kill Him?**

Answer: Jesus acknowledged their physical lineage to validate the historical fact of their descent, which was a source of immense pride for them. However, by immediately contrasting this with their murderous intent, He highlighted the critical distinction between physical heritage and spiritual reality. He was not denying their biological connection to Abraham, but rather exposing the spiritual disconnect that prevented them from acting like true children of faith. This setup allowed Him to then introduce the concept of true spiritual sonship, which is based on faith and obedience, not merely bloodline, as further explained in [John 8:39-47](/john/8-39-47 "True Children of Abraham").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:37, with its stark contrast between physical lineage and spiritual hostility, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the true "seed" of Abraham and the embodiment of the Word. The Jewish leaders, despite their physical descent, rejected the very One through whom all Abraham's promises would be fulfilled ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")). Their inability to make "place" for Jesus's word foreshadows the broader rejection of the Messiah by many within Israel, leading to the turning of the gospel to the Gentiles ([Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you")). Christ, as the living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "In the beginning was the Word")), perfectly received and embodied the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death")). He is the true heir of Abraham's faith, and through Him, all who believe, regardless of their physical lineage, become spiritual children of Abraham and co-heirs with Christ ([Romans 4:16](/romans/4-16 "Abraham is the father of all who believe"); [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring")). Thus, Jesus's confrontation reveals that genuine Abrahamic sonship is found not in blood, but in embracing the Word made flesh, who is Christ Himself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

John 8:45

And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.

John 8:47

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

Romans 9:7

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

John 7:1

¶ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

John 8:59

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Acts 13:26

Men [and] brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.