Thessalonian Faith

Spiritual Paternity Test (John 8:37-47)

(43-29a)

For this week’s study:

  1. Any time you read or study the Bible, always start with prayer, asking God to guide you, so you understand God’s message and learn His methods for living.
  2. Read John 8:37-47 several times using your Bible, and the two translations provided below, to understand the boundaries, content and flow of the study passage. (Reading the passage once a day from any of those translations is recommended.)
  3. Read and respond to the “Study Guide” and use the “Study Resources” provided below to learn more from this study passage.

Read the Passage

Berean Standard Bible
(BSB)

<37>I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. <38>I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

<39>“Abraham is our father,” they replied.

“If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <40>But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. <41>You are doing the works of your father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”

<42>Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.

<43>Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. <44>You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <45>But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

<46>Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? <47>Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Word Come Alive
(WCA)
(An extended translation)*

<37>I know you’re descended from Abraham. But you’re also trying to find a way to kill me, because you reject my message and do not give it free rein in your lives. <38>I’m telling you what I have seen in the presence of my Father, and you’re doing what you have heard from your father.’

<39>They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’

Jesus spoke to them, ‘You’re not really Abraham’s children. If you were, then you would do what Abraham did. <40>But in fact you’re trying to find a way to kill me, the man who has told you the truth I’ve heard from God. Abraham never did anything like this. <41>You’re doing the works of your own father.’

This made them angry: ‘How dare you suggest we are illegitimate children! We have one Father, who is God himself.’

<42>Jesus answered them, ‘If that were true—if God were your Father—you would love me, because I have come from God. The decision for me to come here was not my own; I was sent by God. <43>Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? It’s because you won’t take in my message but you reject it. <44>Far from being Abraham’s true children, you take after your father, the devil. You’re eager to do what your father wants to do and follow his evil desires. The terrible reality is that he has been a murderer since the beginning of the world. He has never stood up for the truth because there isn’t the slightest trace of truth in him. When he tells lies, he does what comes naturally to him, because he’s a liar and lying began with him in the first place. Do you remember how he deceived Eve? <45>But because I speak the truth, you don’t believe me. <46>Which of you can prove me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why don’t you believe me? <47>Whoever has God as their Father listens to God’s message. The reason why you don’t listen is that you are not really God’s children.’

* Words in italics are not translated from the original Greek text.  They have been added to explain and at times apply the text, much as a preacher does on a Sunday or notes do at the foot of the page in a study Bible. These additions are integrated with the text itself, and are in italics, so readers can see what has been explained, changed or added.

Study the Passage

Study Guide

In the previous study passage, the people Jesus was talking to said they were Abraham’s descendants (John 8:33). In this study passage, Jesus acknowledged that they were descendants of Abraham in the flesh but not in faith, and went on to explain why that was true. Then they claimed someone else as their father, but Jesus again explained why that was not true either. Finally, Jesus told them who their true father was.

What reasons did Jesus give to prove they were not descendants of Abraham in faith?

Who was the second person they claimed was their father and what reasons Jesus give to prove that was not so?

Who was the person Jesus said was their true father and what did He say to prove it?

The saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” means that a child shares the same nature and behaviors as their parents. That wasn’t working out well for the people Jesus was talking to. What did they need to do to change their situation?

Study Resources

To learn more about this study passage, go to
https://www.bibleref.com/John/8/John-8-37.html. Read the commentary of each verse in the study passage.  (Also read the Context Summary and the Chapter Summary.)

If you have any questions about this passage, type the verse reference or your question in the search box at the top of
https://www.gotquestions.org/ and explore the results.

If you have a study Bible, read the footnotes and study notes and see how they help you understand this passage. Also check out any maps, charts and articles related to the study passage.