“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”
My Notes
What Does John 8:39 Mean?
"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." The Pharisees claim Abraham as their spiritual ancestor — a claim of inherited righteousness. Jesus directly challenges this: biological descent is not spiritual descent. If they were truly Abraham's children, they would behave like Abraham. And Abraham's defining characteristic was faith that led to obedience — he believed God and it was counted as righteousness.
Jesus separates identity from genealogy. Being Abraham's child isn't about DNA; it's about character. Abraham welcomed divine messengers; the Pharisees are trying to kill one. Abraham believed God's word even when it seemed impossible; the Pharisees reject God's word standing in front of them. The family resemblance isn't there.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What spiritual identity do you claim that might not be reflected in your actual behavior?
- 2.If your faith were evaluated by your actions rather than your background, what would the verdict be?
- 3.What 'works of Abraham' (radical trust, obedience, belief in the impossible) are most absent from your life?
- 4.How do you move from inherited faith to owned faith — from 'Abraham is my father' to living like his child?
Devotional
"Abraham is our father." That was their trump card. The ultimate credential. We're descendants of Abraham — chosen people, covenant carriers, the bloodline through which God blessed the world. And Jesus says: prove it. If Abraham's your father, act like him.
This challenge cuts through every version of inherited identity. Being born into a Christian family doesn't make you a Christian. Growing up in church doesn't mean you know God. Having the right lineage, the right denomination, the right theological tradition means nothing if your life doesn't reflect the character of the faith you claim.
Abraham's defining trait was trust that produced action. God said go, and he went. God said sacrifice, and he obeyed. God said believe in the impossible, and he did. That's the family DNA Jesus is looking for — not biological, but behavioral. Not who your parents were, but who your actions reveal you to be.
If someone looked at your life without knowing your background — your church membership, your family's faith, your baptism certificate — would they see Abraham's faith? Would they see someone who trusts God enough to move when he says move, to give when he says give, to believe when everything looks impossible? That's the family resemblance Jesus is asking about.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father,.... By adoption; and this was discovered by the grace of regeneration; or…
Abraham is our father - We are descended from Abraham. Of this the Jews boasted much, as being descended from such an…
If ye were Abraham's children - Griesbach reads εϚε, ye are, instead of ητε, ye were, on the authority of BDL, Vulgate,…
Here Christ and the Jews are still at issue; he sets himself to convince and convert them, while they still set…
Abraham is our father They see that He means some other father than Abraham; possibly they suspect His full meaning,…
Cross References
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