John 8:31-59

So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They replied to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. So how can you say that we will be set free?” Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: Whoever lives a sinful life is a slave to sin. A slave doesn’t live in the home forever, but a son does. So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free. I know that you’re Abraham’s descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don’t like what I’m saying. What I’m saying is what I have seen in my Father’s presence. But you do what you’ve heard from your father.” The Jews replied to Jesus, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus told them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do what Abraham did. I am a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. But now you want to kill me. Abraham wouldn’t have done that. You’re doing what your father does.” The Jews said to Jesus, “We’re not illegitimate children. God is our only Father.” Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me. After all, I’m here, and I came from God. I didn’t come on my own. Instead, God sent me. Why don’t you understand the language I use? Is it because you can’t understand the words I use? You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn’t know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he’s doing what comes naturally to him. He’s a liar and the father of lies. So you don’t believe me because I tell the truth. Can any of you convict me of committing a sin? If I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? The person who belongs to God understands what God says. You don’t understand because you don’t belong to God.” The Jews replied to Jesus, “Aren’t we right when we say that you’re a Samaritan and that you’re possessed by a demon?” Jesus answered, “I’m not possessed. I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. I don’t want my own glory. But there is someone who wants it, and he is the judge. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever obeys what I say will never see death.” The Jews told Jesus, “Now we know that you’re possessed by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets, but you say, ‘Whoever does what I say will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets have also died. Who do you think you are?” Jesus said, “If I bring glory to myself, my glory is nothing. My Father is the one who gives me glory, and you say that he is your God. Yet, you haven’t known him. However, I know him. If I would say that I didn’t know him, I would be a liar like all of you. But I do know him, and I do what he says. Your father Abraham was pleased to see that my day was coming. He saw it and was happy.” The Jews said to Jesus, “You’re not even fifty years old. How could you have seen Abraham?” Jesus told them, “I can guarantee this truth: Before Abraham was ever born, I am.” Then some of the Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus. However, Jesus was concealed, and he left the temple courtyard.