John 8:39–47:
True Fatherhood and the Rejection of the Truth

The Correct Interpretation of John 8:39–47

After showing that being descendants of Abraham does not guarantee true freedom or a right relationship with God (John 8:31–38), Jesus now takes the discussion further. His hearers insist that Abraham is their father and eventually claim that God Himself is their Father. Jesus responds by showing that true sonship is recognized by resemblance to the father: Abraham received God’s word, while they want to kill the One who tells them the truth; and if God were truly their Father, they would love the Son whom He sent.

(v. 39)
«They answered and said to Him, “Our father is Abraham!” Jesus says to them: “If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham;»

His hearers insist that Abraham is their father.

Jesus had already acknowledged that they were physical descendants of Abraham (John 8:37), but now He distinguishes between descent and sonship. Being descended from Abraham by lineage does not automatically mean acting as his true children.

When Jesus says that they would do “the works of Abraham”, the point is not merely that they would perform good deeds in general. Abraham responded to God by believing and obeying what He revealed.

If they were truly Abraham’s children in that sense, their response to the One sent by God would resemble Abraham’s response.

(v. 40)
«but now you are wanting to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. This sort of thing Abraham did not do!»

Jesus presents the evidence that contradicts their claim.

He has told them the truth that He heard from God, yet they respond by wanting to kill Him.

That is why He declares:

“This sort of thing Abraham did not do!”

Abraham responded to God’s revelation; they, by contrast, want to kill the One who communicates to them the truth He heard from God.

Their conduct therefore shows that although they are physical descendants of Abraham, they do not act as his true children.

(v. 41)
«You do the works of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”»

Jesus insists that their works reveal another fatherhood.

They respond by raising their claim even higher: they no longer merely say that Abraham is their father, but that God Himself is their one Father.

The expression “We were not born of fornication” is difficult to define with absolute certainty. It may express their claim to belong legitimately to the people of God rather than coming from a relationship of unfaithfulness toward Him. Some interpreters have also seen here a possible insinuation against Jesus’ birth, but John does not state that explicitly.

What matters most is what they say next:

“we have one Father—God.”

Jesus will immediately put that claim to the test.

(v. 42)
«So Jesus said to them: “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came forth from God and I am here. Further, I have not come on my own, but He sent me.»

Jesus establishes the decisive test of their claim.

If God were truly their Father, they would love Jesus, because He came forth from God and was sent by Him.

It is impossible to claim a true relationship with the Father while rejecting the Son whom He sent.

Their attitude toward Jesus therefore contradicts their claim to belong to God.

(v. 43)
«Why don’t you understand what I say?—because you are not able to really hear my word.»

Jesus explains that their lack of understanding is not merely intellectual.

They physically hear His words, but they are not able to truly receive them.

The problem lies in their disposition toward Jesus and in the allegiance their works reveal. Their rejection of the truth keeps them from truly receiving what He says.

The next verse will show the root of that inability more clearly.

(v. 44)
«You are of your father the devil, and it is the desires of your father that you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks the lie he speaks from his own things, because he is a liar and the father of lying.»

Jesus finally identifies the “father” He had referred to in the preceding verses.

His opponents show their resemblance to the devil because they want to do what characterizes his desires.

Jesus first describes him as “a murderer from the beginning”. From the beginning of human history, the devil’s work was connected with death, and Scripture quickly shows how sin also led to murder.

He then presents him as completely opposed to the truth: “there is no truth in him”, and he is “the father of lying.”

The statement especially recalls the serpent’s deception in Genesis 3:4–5, where the lie led mankind toward sin and death.

The contrast now becomes clearer. His hearers want to kill Jesus and reject the truth He speaks; through those very actions they show likeness to the one who is a murderer and a liar.

(v. 45)
«But since I speak the truth you do not believe me.»

Jesus points to the depth of their opposition.

They do not reject Him because they have discovered falsehood in His words, but precisely because the truth He speaks conflicts with what they are willing to receive.

This confirms the contrast from the preceding verse: Jesus speaks the truth that comes from the Father, while they show an affinity with falsehood.

(v. 46)
«Which of you convicts me of sin? So if I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?»

Jesus issues an extraordinary challenge: He invites His opponents to prove Him guilty of sin.

None of them can present an accusation that overturns His integrity.

That makes the next question even more penetrating: if they cannot convict Him of sin and Jesus speaks the truth, why do they not believe Him?

The answer is not found in any falsehood on Jesus’ part, but in the condition of those who refuse to receive His words.

(v. 47)
«The one who is of God hears God’s words; that is why you do not hear, because you are not of God.”»

Jesus concludes by revealing the root of the entire discussion.

The one who “is of God” hears the words that come from God.

His opponents, by contrast, do not receive Jesus’ words. And since Jesus speaks what He has received from the Father, their rejection demonstrates that they are not of God, despite claiming that God is their Father.

Jesus thus completely overturns their own claim in verse 41. They say, “we have one Father—God”; Jesus answers by showing that their attitude toward God’s words proves exactly the opposite.

Implications

• True sonship is revealed by resemblance to the father: works reveal what a person truly belongs to.
• Being descended from Abraham does not guarantee being a true child of Abraham: the response to God’s revelation is decisive.
• No one can love the Father while rejecting the Son: the one who truly belongs to God receives Jesus, whom God sent.
• The devil is characterized by murder and lying: those who reject the truth and seek to destroy Jesus display likeness to him.
• The response to Jesus’ words reveals one’s relationship with God: the one who is of God hears the words that come from Him.

Applications

• Do not rest in an inherited religious identity: belonging to a tradition does not replace a genuine response to God.
• Receive Jesus as the One who came forth from the Father: you cannot claim to love God while rejecting His Son.
• Love the truth even when it confronts your ideas or desires: resisting it hardens the heart more and more.
• Examine what your works reveal: your conduct shows what truly governs your life.
• Hear God’s words with a willingness to obey them: receiving Christ’s word gives evidence of a true relationship with God.

Summary

In John 8:39–47, Jesus’ opponents first claim that Abraham is their father and then that God Himself is their Father. Jesus shows that their actions contradict both claims. Abraham responded to God’s revelation, while they want to kill the One who tells them the truth He heard from God. And if God were truly their Father, they would love Jesus, because He came forth from the Father and was sent by Him. Finally, Jesus identifies the fatherhood their works actually reflect: they want to kill and reject the truth, thus showing likeness to the devil, whom Jesus describes as a murderer and the father of lying. The argument concludes by showing that the one who is of God hears God’s words; therefore, their rejection of Jesus’ words reveals that despite their religious claims, they are not of God.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You that through Jesus Christ You have spoken the truth and clearly shown who You are.

Keep us from trusting only in our history, our traditions, or what we claim about ourselves.

Give us hearts that love Your Son, receive His word, and respond in obedience to the truth that comes from You.

Deliver us from falsehood and from everything that would lead us to resist Your truth. Let our words and works show that we truly belong to You.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.