³⁵ The Father loves the Son^(A) and has given all things into His hands.^(B)

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven,^(A) not to do My will, but the will of Him^(B) who sent Me.

¹⁶ Jesus answered them, “My teaching isn’t Mine but is from the One who sent Me.^(A)

²⁸ As He was teaching in the temple complex,^(A) Jesus cried out, “You know Me and you know where I am from. Yet I have not come on My own, but the One who sent Me^(B) is true. You don’t know Him;^(C)

²⁶ “I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the One who sent Me^(A) is true, and what I have heard from Him—these things I tell the world.”^(B)

²⁷ They did not know He was speaking to them about the Father. ²⁸ So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man,^(C) then you will know that I am^(D) He, and that I do nothing on My own.^(E) But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things. ²⁹ The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone,^(F) because I always do what pleases Him.”

Truth and Freedom

³⁰ As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. ³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,^[a](G) you really are My disciples. ³² You will know the truth,^(H) and the truth will set you free.”

³³ “We are descendants^[b] of Abraham,”^(I) they answered Him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become free’?”

³⁴ Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.^{(J) 35} A slave does not remain in the household forever,^(K) but a son does remain forever.^{(L) 36} Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. ³⁷ I know you are descendants^[c] of Abraham,^(M) but you are trying to kill Me because My word^[d] is not welcome among you. ³⁸ I speak what I have seen^(N) in the presence of the Father;^[e](O) therefore, you do what you have heard from your father.”

³⁹ “Our father is Abraham!” they replied.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did.^{(P) 40} But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth^(Q) that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this! ⁴¹ You’re doing what your father does.”^(R)

“We weren’t born^(S) of sexual immorality,”^(T) they said. “We have one Father—God.”^(U)

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me,^(V) because I came from God^(W) and I am here. For I didn’t come on My own, but He sent Me.