New International VersionYou are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
New Living TranslationNo, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
English Standard VersionYou are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
Berean Standard BibleYou are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
Berean Literal BibleYou are doing the works of your father." Therefore they said to Him, "We have not been born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."
King James BibleYe do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
New King James VersionYou do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
New American Standard BibleYou are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born as a result of sexual immorality; we have one Father: God.”
NASB 1995“You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”
NASB 1977 “You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”
Legacy Standard Bible You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of sexual immorality; we have one Father: God.”
Amplified BibleYou are doing the works of your [own] father.” They said to Him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one [spiritual] Father: God.”
Christian Standard BibleYou’re doing what your father does.” “We weren’t born of sexual immorality,” they said. “We have one Father—God.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleYou’re doing what your father does."” We weren’t born of sexual immorality,” they said. “We have one Father—God.”
American Standard VersionYe do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Contemporary English VersionBut you are doing exactly what your father does." "Don't accuse us of having someone else as our father!" they said. "We just have one father, and he is God."
English Revised VersionYe do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationYou're doing what your father does." The Jews said to Jesus, "We're not illegitimate children. God is our only Father."
Good News TranslationYou are doing what your father did." "God himself is the only Father we have," they answered, "and we are his true children."
International Standard VersionYou are doing your father's actions." They told him, "We're not illegitimate children. We have one Father, God himself."
NET BibleYou people are doing the deeds of your father." Then they said to Jesus, "We were not born as a result of immorality! We have only one Father, God himself."
New Heart English BibleYou do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."
Webster's Bible TranslationYe do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Weymouth New TestamentYou are doing the deeds of your father." "We," they replied, "are not illegitimate children. We have one Father, namely God." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
World English BibleYou do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionyou do the works of your father.” They said, therefore, to Him, “We have not been born of whoredom; we have one Father—God”;
Berean Literal BibleYou are doing the works of your father." Therefore they said to Him, "We have not been born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."
Young's Literal Translation ye do the works of your father.' They said, therefore, to him, 'We of whoredom have not been born; one Father we have -- God;'
Smith's Literal TranslationYe do the works of your father. Then said they to him, We have not been born of fornication; for we have one Father, God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYou do the works of your father. They said therefore to him: We are not born of fornication: we have one Father, even God.
Catholic Public Domain VersionYou do the works of your father.” Therefore, they said to him: “We were not born out of fornication. We have one father: God.”
New American BibleYou are doing the works of your father!” [So] they said to him, “We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God.”
New Revised Standard VersionYou are indeed doing what your father does.” They said to him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut you do the works of your father. They said to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, God.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“But you are doing the deeds of your father.” They were saying to him, “We are not from fornication; we have one father, God.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentYou do the works of your father. They said to him: We were not born of lewdness; we have one father, God. Audio Bible
Context The Children of the Devil… 40But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children, ” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.” 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.…
Cross References John 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:39“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.
John 8:47Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Romans 9:8So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.
Galatians 3:7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.
Galatians 4:22-31For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ...
Matthew 3:9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
Luke 3:8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
Romans 2:28-29A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
1 John 3:10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
Genesis 17:7I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Genesis 18:19For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
Genesis 21:12But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
Isaiah 63:16Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
John 8:38,44
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father… We be. Isaiah 57:3-7
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore… Ezekiel 23:45-47
And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands… Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. we have. Exodus 4:22
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: Deuteronomy 14:1
Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. Isaiah 63:16
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. Jump to Previous Abraham Born Children Deeds Fornication Illegitimate Immorality Namely Protested Sexual True. Whoredom WorksJump to Next Abraham Born Children Deeds Fornication Illegitimate Immorality Namely Protested Sexual True. Whoredom WorksJohn 8 1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;31. promises freedom to those who believe;33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;59. and slips away from those who would stone him.You are doing the works of your father.In this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders, challenging their claim to spiritual authority and lineage. The "works" refer to actions and behaviors that reflect one's true spiritual lineage. Jesus implies that their actions align more with Satan, whom He later identifies as their father in a spiritual sense ( John 8:44). This accusation is rooted in the broader biblical theme that one's actions reveal one's true allegiance ( Matthew 7:16-20). The concept of spiritual paternity is significant in Jewish thought, where lineage and heritage are crucial, yet Jesus redefines it in terms of spiritual obedience and truth. “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared.
The Jewish leaders respond defensively, asserting their legitimate descent from Abraham and, by extension, their covenant relationship with God. The term "illegitimate children" could imply a denial of any spiritual or moral impurity. Historically, Jewish identity was closely tied to Abrahamic descent, and being considered illegitimate would undermine their claim to God's promises. This statement also reflects a possible allusion to rumors about Jesus' own birth, which some opponents might have considered illegitimate (Matthew 1:18-25). The leaders' emphasis on legitimacy underscores their misunderstanding of Jesus' spiritual message. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
Here, the Jewish leaders assert their monotheistic faith and covenant relationship with God, echoing the Shema, a central declaration of Jewish faith: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). They claim God as their Father, which in Jewish tradition signifies a special relationship and chosen status (Exodus 4:22). However, Jesus challenges this claim by pointing out that true children of God would recognize and accept Him, as He is sent by the Father (John 8:42). This statement highlights the tension between physical descent and spiritual kinship, a theme that runs throughout the New Testament (Romans 9:6-8). Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and people, challenging their understanding of spiritual lineage and true obedience to God. 2. Jewish LeadersThe audience Jesus is speaking to, who claim Abraham as their father and assert their legitimacy as God's children. 3. AbrahamMentioned earlier in the chapter, Abraham is a patriarchal figure whom the Jewish leaders claim as their ancestor, representing their spiritual heritage. 4. God the FatherThe ultimate spiritual Father, whom Jesus contrasts with the earthly claims of the Jewish leaders. 5. SatanImplicitly referenced as the "father" whose works the Jewish leaders are doing, according to Jesus, highlighting the spiritual deception and sin. Teaching Points Spiritual Lineage vs. Physical DescentTrue spiritual lineage is determined by faith and obedience to God, not merely by physical descent or heritage. The Danger of Spiritual PrideClaiming a spiritual heritage without living in accordance with God's will can lead to self-deception and spiritual pride. The Importance of True FatherhoodRecognizing God as our true Father involves aligning our actions and beliefs with His will, as revealed through Jesus Christ. The Role of Faith in Spiritual IdentityFaith in Jesus Christ is the defining characteristic of being a child of God, transcending ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Repentance and TransformationTrue children of God demonstrate their relationship with Him through repentance and a transformed life that reflects His character. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 8:41?
2. How does John 8:41 challenge us to examine our spiritual parentage today?
3. What does "we are not illegitimate children" reveal about the Pharisees' mindset?
4. How can we ensure our actions align with being God's children, as in John 8:41?
5. Compare John 8:41 with Galatians 4:6. How do both verses define sonship?
6. In what ways can we avoid hypocrisy as demonstrated by the Pharisees here?
7. What does John 8:41 reveal about Jesus' understanding of His divine origin?
8. How does John 8:41 challenge the Jewish leaders' perception of their spiritual heritage?
9. What historical context is necessary to fully understand John 8:41?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 8?
11. What did Jesus mean by 'greater works than these'?
12. What are the names of Jesus Christ?
13. What does 'Called According to His Purpose' mean?
14. What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?What Does John 8:41 Mean You are doing the works of your father“You are doing the works of your father.” (John 8:41a) • Jesus draws a sharp line between physical ancestry and spiritual allegiance. Actions reveal true paternity (John 8:38; 1 John 3:10). • The “works” He has just named include plotting to kill Him (John 8:37) and refusing His word (John 8:40). Such deeds mirror the devil’s character (John 8:44). • Scripture consistently links behavior with spiritual lineage: those who practice righteousness show they are born of God (1 John 2:29); persistent sin aligns a person with the evil one (1 John 3:8). • By stating this fact, Jesus exposes their need for a new birth—one that only faith in Him provides (John 3:3, 16).
We are not illegitimate children“‘We are not illegitimate children,’ they declared.” (John 8:41b) • The leaders protest that their lineage is pure—physically descended from Abraham (John 8:33). • Old Covenant law barred illegitimate offspring from full covenant privileges (Deuteronomy 23:2), so the accusation stings. • Some scholars see a veiled insult aimed at Jesus’ miraculous birth (Matthew 1:18), but the main point here is their confidence in heritage rather than heart. • Hosea called faithless Israel “children of adultery” (Hosea 1:2); yet these men refuse to see themselves in that indictment.
Our only Father is God Himself“‘Our only Father is God Himself.’” (John 8:41c) • Claiming God as Father was orthodox (Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 2:10), but covenant sonship demanded obedience (Deuteronomy 32:6). • Jesus will soon insist that receiving Him is the decisive evidence of true sonship (John 8:42; John 10:30). • The claim echoes the Shema’s “the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), yet they miss the One the Father sent (John 5:37-38). • Genuine relationship with God comes through believing in His Son (John 1:12; 1 John 5:1). Without that faith, their profession is empty.
summaryJohn 8:41 confronts the difference between hereditary privilege and spiritual reality. Jesus exposes works that align His listeners with the devil, not with God. The leaders insist on their physical legitimacy and covenant standing, yet their rejection of Christ proves their claim false. True children of God receive and obey the Son; anything less reveals a different father. (41) Ye do the deeds of your father.--It is better to read works rather than "deeds," as in John 8:39. They did not the works of Abraham. They did the works of that father, who is now more clearly pointed out, but still not named. Before, when he was referred to ( John 8:38), they could answer that Abraham was their father; but their works prove that they are not the true children of Abraham ( John 8:39-40). They see that a spiritual father is intended, and they will claim God as their Father. We be not born of fornication.--The meaning of this is to be found in the fact that the word became in the Old Testament prophets a frequent symbol for idolatry. Comp. Isaiah 1:21; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:8-9; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1:2 (especially), 4:12, and 5:7.) They, as distinguished from the nations among whom they dwelt, had maintained a pure monotheism, and had never been idolaters, or children born of spiritual fornication. . . . Verse 41. - Instead of doing the works of Abraham, you are doing the works of your father. That is, you have a father with whom you are, nevertheless, in living, ethical relation. If you persist in boasting of your father, who is neither "the Father" nor Abraham, I must soon tell you who that father is. Loud interruption followed. Abrupt and startling was the retort: We are [were] not born of fornication; we have one Father, God. Many expositors think that these Jews began to babble against the possibility of their being bastard children of Sarah, or to protest that they were not Ishmaelites or any collateral branch of the seed of Abraham, like the Idumaeans or the sons of Keturah. This is far away from the context, and unworthy of the controversy. The idea is sufficiently explained by the second clause. The covenant relation between Jehovah and Israel is so constantly referred to in the Old Testament ( Hosea 1:2; Hosea 2:4; Isaiah 1:21; Jeremiah 2:20) under the image of marriage and the unfaithfulness of particular generations to Jehovah; and their false worship and idolatry are so often regarded as "fornication" and "adultery" from God, the Husband of the dedicated spouse, so that nothing is more probable, when Jesus charged them with doing the works of their father, that they should have exclaimed, "Surely we have no idolatrous sympathies. None but Jehovah is our God. Thou must not charge us with any compromise with the accursed thing." The wild rage which the Jews had shown to Pilate in the matter of the shields, their abhorrence of the defilement of idols in the matter of food, their avoidance even of the supreme court of Roman justice under fear of idolatrous contamination, explain the outflash of this indignant rejoinder. This view is, in the main, advocated by De Wette, Lampe, Lucke, Lange, and Hengstenberg; but opposed by Meyer, Westcott: "We do not owe our position to idolatrous desertion of Jehovah. We are the offspring of the union of God with his chosen people. Our spiritual descent is as pure as our historical descent." Godet modifies it: "We have no idolatrous blood in our veins; we are Hebrews of the Hebrews." They claim to be the children of God, as well as children of Abraham ( Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 2:10).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Youὑμεῖς (hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.are doingποιεῖτε (poieite)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.theτὰ (ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.worksἔργα (erga)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.ofτοῦ (tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.yourὑμῶν (hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.father.”πατρὸς (patros)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.“WeἩμεῖς (Hēmeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.are not illegitimate children,”γεγεννήμεθα (gegennēmetha)Verb - Perfect Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.they declared.Εἶπαν (Eipan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“Ourἔχομεν (echomen)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.onlyἕνα (hena)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.FatherΠατέρα (Patera)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.[is] God [Himself].”Θεόν (Theon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
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NT Gospels: John 8:41 You do the works of your father (Jhn Jo Jn) |
