John 8:39

KJV

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

KJV (with Strong's)

They answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Abraham {G11} is {G2076} our {G2257} father {G3962}. Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, If {G1487} ye were {G2258} Abraham's {G11} children {G5043}, ye would do {G4160}{G302} the works {G2041} of Abraham {G11}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They answered him, “Our father is Avraham.” Yeshua replied, “If you are children of Avraham, then do the things Avraham did!

Berean Standard Bible

“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.

American Standard Version

They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:39, Jesus engages in a profound theological debate with a group of Jewish leaders in the Temple, who assert their spiritual standing by claiming Abraham as their physical father. Jesus directly challenges this presumption, declaring that true spiritual lineage is not determined by biological descent but by a demonstration of faith and obedience that mirrors Abraham's own righteous actions, thereby shifting the focus from inherited privilege to active discipleship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a protracted and intense discourse in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus and the Jews") where Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders about their spiritual blindness, their inability to understand His words, and their ultimate rejection of His divine identity. The preceding verses ([John 8:31-38](/john/8-31-38 "John 8:31-38 - Truth and Freedom")) establish Jesus' teaching on true freedom found in adherence to His word, contrasting it with their perceived freedom based on Abrahamic lineage. Their claim in [John 8:39](/john/8-39 "John 8:39 - Abraham is Our Father") is a direct response to Jesus' assertion that He is the Son who can set them free, revealing their deep-seated reliance on ancestral privilege rather than spiritual transformation. The dialogue culminates in Jesus' profound declaration of His pre-existence in [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham Was, I Am"), further highlighting the chasm between their understanding and His divine reality.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the Jews of Jesus' time, descent from Abraham was a cornerstone of their national and religious identity. They believed that being a physical descendant of Abraham automatically granted them a privileged status with God, ensuring their participation in the covenant promises and their ultimate salvation. This lineage was seen as a guarantee of divine favor, often leading to a sense of spiritual security that minimized the need for personal repentance or radical faith. This cultural belief is evident in other New Testament passages, such as [Matthew 3:9](/matthew/3-9 "Matthew 3:9 - Do Not Say We Have Abraham as Our Father"), where John the Baptist warns against relying solely on this heritage. Jesus' challenge in [John 8:39](/john/8-39 "John 8:39 - Works of Abraham") directly confronts this deeply ingrained cultural assumption, redefining true sonship in spiritual rather than biological terms.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Light, Truth, and Freedom") is the profound **contrast between spiritual and physical lineage**. Jesus consistently redirects the conversation from their physical ancestry to the spiritual nature of their relationship with God. He emphasizes that true sonship with Abraham, and more importantly with God, is demonstrated through **obedience and faith**, not mere biological inheritance. This highlights the theme of **genuine discipleship**, where outward claims must be substantiated by inward transformation and corresponding actions. The Jews' boast of Abrahamic descent ultimately serves as a foil for Jesus to reveal their true spiritual father, the devil, if they persist in their sinful rejection of Him ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil")). This passage also underscores the theme of **truth versus deception**, as Jesus exposes their self-deception regarding their spiritual state.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abraham (Hebrew, _Abraám'_):** Refers to the patriarch Abraham, revered by the Jews as their physical and spiritual ancestor. Jesus uses this name, which is central to their identity, to challenge their understanding of true lineage, shifting the focus from biological descent to spiritual resemblance and action.
* **children (Greek, _téknon'_):** Signifies offspring or progeny, but in this context, it carries a deeper meaning of spiritual kinship and likeness to a parent. Jesus implies that true "children" will reflect the character and actions of their "father," suggesting that their current behavior contradicts their claimed lineage.
* **works (Greek, _érgon'_):** Denotes deeds, actions, or accomplishments. Jesus is not referring to meritorious acts for salvation but to the outward expressions of an inward spiritual reality—actions that naturally flow from genuine faith and obedience, mirroring Abraham's own life of faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father."**: The Jewish interlocutors, feeling cornered by Jesus' claims about truth and freedom, resort to their most cherished defense: their physical lineage from Abraham. They believe this heritage guarantees their standing with God and spiritual privilege, implicitly challenging Jesus' authority to question their spiritual state.
* **"Jesus saith unto them,"**: Jesus directly responds to their claim, preparing to dismantle their flawed understanding of spiritual identity and the true nature of sonship. His words are a direct counter to their self-assured assertion.
* **"If ye were Abraham's children,"**: Jesus introduces a conditional statement, implying that their claim of being Abraham's children is not as straightforward or absolute as they assume. He shifts the focus from physical descent, which they possess, to spiritual resemblance, which they lack.
* **"ye would do the works of Abraham."**: This is Jesus' core challenge. He posits that true spiritual offspring of Abraham would emulate his faith, obedience, and righteous deeds, such as his belief in God's promises ([Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham Believed God")) and his willingness to obey God's commands ([Genesis 22:1-18](/genesis/22-1-18 "Genesis 22:1-18 - The Testing of Abraham")). By contrasting their current opposition to Him with Abraham's faithful response to God, Jesus highlights their spiritual disconnect.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Conditional Statement** ("If ye were... ye would do"), setting up a direct challenge to the Jews' self-perception. This is immediately followed by **Contrast**, juxtaposing their empty claim of physical lineage with the active, obedient "works" that would characterize true spiritual children of Abraham. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Jesus' statement; the very people who boast of their Abrahamic heritage are shown to be acting in a manner antithetical to Abraham's faith and obedience, ultimately revealing their spiritual father to be someone else entirely ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:39 is a pivotal statement that redefines the nature of spiritual lineage and sonship, moving it from a matter of physical inheritance to one of spiritual character and conduct. Jesus dismantles the prevailing Jewish notion that mere biological descent from Abraham guarantees a right standing with God. Instead, He asserts that true children of Abraham are those who emulate his faith and obedience, demonstrating their spiritual kinship through their actions. This principle transcends the Old Covenant emphasis on physical lineage, laying the groundwork for a New Covenant understanding where spiritual birth and active faith in Christ become the defining marks of God's true family. It underscores that genuine faith is never passive but is always evidenced by a life of obedience and conformity to God's will.

* [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision of the Heart")
* [Galatians 3:7](/galatians/3-7 "Galatians 3:7 - Those of Faith are Abraham's Children")
* [James 2:20-24](/james/2-20-24 "James 2:20-24 - Faith Without Works is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:39 serves as a profound mirror for all who claim a relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent or inherited religious affiliation to a vibrant, active faith. Our spiritual identity is not solely determined by what we profess to believe or by our family's religious background, but by the tangible evidence of our lives—the "works" that flow from a transformed heart. Do our actions, attitudes, and priorities genuinely reflect the character of Christ and the obedience of Abraham? This verse calls us to an honest self-assessment, urging us to ensure that our outward claims of faith are consistent with our inward spiritual reality and daily conduct. It reminds us that true discipleship is a dynamic, living expression of our allegiance to God, motivating us to walk in obedience and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be relying on a "spiritual heritage" (e.g., family faith, church attendance) rather than a personal, active relationship with God?**
* **What "works" in my life demonstrate that I am truly a child of God, reflecting His character and commands?**
* **How does my daily obedience (or lack thereof) align with my profession of faith in Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Jews claiming Abraham as their father?**

Answer: The claim "Abraham is our father" ([John 8:39](/john/8-39 "John 8:39 - Abraham is Our Father")) was central to Jewish identity and their perceived covenantal standing with God. They believed that physical descent from Abraham automatically conferred divine favor and salvation, making them heirs to God's promises. This belief often led to a sense of spiritual complacency and a resistance to the idea that they needed a new spiritual birth or a different path to righteousness. Jesus challenges this notion throughout [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus' Debate with the Jews"), emphasizing that true sonship is determined by spiritual obedience and faith, not merely by biological heritage, as seen in His later statement about their true father being the devil if they persist in sin ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:39, with its emphasis on "doing the works of Abraham," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a legalistic adherence to works, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Abraham's defining "work" was his faith in God, which was "counted to him as righteousness" ([Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham's Faith Counted as Righteousness")). Jesus, the perfect Son, perfectly embodied the "works" of God, always doing the will of His Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). He is the true seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, Abraham's Seed")). Therefore, to "do the works of Abraham" in the New Covenant era is to place one's faith in Jesus Christ, the ultimate object of God's promise and the perfect expression of obedience. Those who believe in Jesus become the true spiritual "children of Abraham" by faith, not by physical lineage, inheriting the promises of God through Christ's righteousness, not their own works ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - If You are Christ's, Then Abraham's Offspring")). In Christ, the spiritual lineage is established, and the "works" that follow are the fruit of a new life in Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

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

Galatians 3:7

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Romans 9:7

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

John 8:37

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

Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Romans 2:29

But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.