John 8:37

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 8:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I know that ye are Abraham`s seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I know that ye are Abraham`s seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.
John 8:37 — American Standard Version

Context — John 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37I know that ye are Abraham`s seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I know that ye are Abraham’s seed, etc.] In answer to the other part of the Jews’ objection to Christ, and in favour of themselves, Christ owns that they were the natural seed of Abraham; for truth must be allowed to an adversary. But then this hindered not but they might be, as they were, in moral bondage to sin, and a generation of vipers, as those of them who came to John’s baptism were; and might not be the sons of God, for not because they were the natural seed of Abraham, were they all the adopted sons of God; and might be cast out of the house of God, as Ishmael was cast out of Abraham’s, though he was his natural seed. And what follows proves them to be under the power, and in the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ye seek to kill me--He had said this to their face before: He now repeats it, and they do not deny it; yet are they held back, as by some marvellous spell--it was the awe which His combined dignity, courage, and benignity struck into them. because my word hath no place in you--When did ever human prophet so speak of His words? They tell us of "the word of the Lord" coming to them. But here is One who holds up "His word" as that which ought to find entrance and abiding room for itself in the souls of all who hear it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know ... - I admit that you are the descendants of Abraham. Jesus did not wish to call that in question, but he endeavored to show them that they might be his descendants and still lack entirely his spirit. See the notes at Matthew 3:9. Ye seek to kill me - John 5:16; John 7:32. Because my word - My doctrine; the principles of my religion. You have not the spirit of my doctrine; you hate it, and you therefore seek to kill me. Hath no place - That is, you do not embrace my doctrine, or it exerts no influence over you. The original word conveys the notion that there was no room for his doctrine in their minds. It met with obstructions, and did not penetrate into their hearts. They were so…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I know that ye are Abraham's offspring - As to the other branch of your objection, I know that, ye are Abraham's offspring, after the flesh; but not in a spiritual sense. Ye are not followers of the faith of Abraham: my word hath no place in your hearts. John 8:41”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:37-41 The leaders’ plot to kill Jesus (5:18) unmasked their true identity. They belonged to a different household, and their father was not Jesus’ Father. They were relying on the fact that their ancestral father was Abraham, but Jesus challenged their spiritual pedigree. The climax of his challenge comes in 8:44.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“know: Joh 8:33; Act 13:26; Rom 9:7 but: Joh 8:6, Joh 8:40, Joh 8:59, Joh 5:16-18, Joh 7:1, Joh 7:19, Joh 7:25, Joh 10:31, Joh 11:53 because: Joh 8:43, Joh 8:45-47, Joh 5:44, Joh 12:39-43; Mat 13:15, Mat 13:19-22; Co1 2:14 John 8:38”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification