John 8:31-32 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:31-37

We have in these verses, I. A comfortable doctrine laid down concerning the spiritual liberty of Christ's disciples, intended for the encouragement of those Jews that believed. Christ, knowing that his doctrine began to work upon some of his hearers, and perceiving that virtue had gone out of him, turned his discourse from the proud Pharisees, and addressed himself to those weak believers. When he had denounced wrath against those that were hardened in unbelief, then he spoke comfort to those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:31-32

8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had come to believe in him: "If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples: and you will know the truth: and the truth will make you free." Few New Testament passages have such a complete picture of discipleship as this. (i) Discipleship begins with belief. Its beginning is the moment when a man accepts what Jesus says as true, all that he says about the love of God, all that he says about the terror of sin, all that he says about the real... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:31

Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him ,.... For he knew instantly who they were, and when they believed on him; and therefore he immediately turned himself to them, and thus addressed them; if ye continue in my word ; meaning the Gospel, called his, because he was both the author, and preacher, and sum, and substance of it: and to continue in it, is having cordially received it, to abide by it, and hold it fast, and not to be moved from it, by the temptations of Satan; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth ,.... Either the truth of the Gospel, the truth as it is in Jesus; meaning, that they should have a larger knowledge of it, while others are ever learning, and never come to the knowledge of the truth; but the spirit of truth should lead them into all truth, and cause them to grow and increase in Gospel light and knowledge; or Jesus himself, who is the way, the truth, and the life; and the sense is, that they should know more of him, of the dignity of his person,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:31

If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples of Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:32

Ye shall know the truth - Shall have a constant experimental knowledge of its power and efficacy. And the truth shall make you free - It was a maxim of the Jews, "That no man was free, but he who exercised himself in the meditation of the law." No man is truly free, but he in whose heart the power of sin is destroyed, and who has received the Spirit of adoption, through which he cries, Abba! Father! See Romans 8:15 . The bondage of sin is the most grievous bondage; and freedom from its... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:31

Verse 31 31.If you continue in my word. Here Christ warns them, in the first place, that it is not enough for any one to have begun well, if their progress to the end do not correspond to it; and for this reason he exhorts to perseverance in the faith those who have tasted of his doctrine. When he says that they who are firmly rooted in his word, so as to continue in him, will truly be his disciples, he means that many profess to be disciples who yet are not so in reality, and have no right to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:32

Verse 32 32.And you shall know the truth. He says, that they who have arrived at some knowledge of it shall know the truth True, those whom Christ addresses were as yet uneducated, and scarcely knew the first elements, and therefore we need not wonder if he promises them a more full understanding of his doctrine. But the statement is general. Wherefore, whatever progress any of us have made in the Gospel, let him know that he needs new additions. This is the reward which Christ bestows on their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:30-32

The bondage of the Jews, and the source of true liberty. The effect of the previous discourse was remarkable. I. THE INTELLECTUAL ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS BY THE JEWS . "As he spake these words, many believed on him." They accepted his statements, and believed him to be the Messiah. They were not, however, true believers, because Jesus afterwards represents them as seeking to kill him ( John 8:37 ). II. THE COUNSEL OF OUR LORD TO THE NEW CONVERTS .... read more