6. Parentage of the Jews (8:31-47)

Jesus told the new believers that application to his teaching (literally: “remaining in his word”) would set them free (vv.31-32; cf. 15:4-7, which also speaks of remaining). But this was an affront to them, who, as descendants of Abraham, thought of themselves as already free (v.33). Jesus acknowledged their physical descent from Abraham, but their murderous designs on him implied a quite different spiritual lineage (vv.34-41). They then tried to claim God as their spiritual Father (v.41; cf. Ex 4:22; Jer 31:9), but he rejected their claim (vv.42-47). Children of God would love and listen to Jesus; their demeanor toward him revealed their derivation from the devil.