They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
My Notes
Commentary
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Gill's Exposition
If the Son therefore shall make you free,.... Alluding to the custom of adoption by the sons or brethren in the family, which obtained in Greece, called "the adoption of brethren", as Grotius, and…
Barnes' Notes
They answered him - Not those who believed on him, but some who stood by and heard him. We be Abraham’s seed - We are the children or descendants of Abraham. Abraham was not a slave, and they…
Adam Clarke
They answered - That is, the other Jews who had not believed - the carping, cavilling Pharisees already mentioned; for the words cannot be spoken of the simple people who had already believed. See Joh…
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…
Cambridge Bible
They answered him Or, unto Him, according to the best MSS. -They" must mean -the Jews who had believed Him" (Joh 8:8): it is quite arbitrary to suppose any one else. The severe words which follow (Joh…
Cross References
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