John 8:31
What does John 8:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:31 means
Jesus speaks to the Jews who had believed Him: true discipleship is defined by abiding in His word. To abide is to remain, continue, and make His teaching the dwelling place of one’s life. It is not a momentary enthusiasm but a persevering trust and obedience. By this mark, disciples prove genuine. Jesus invites them from initial belief into a stable, shaping relationship with His truth. His word is not an accessory; it is the atmosphere of life. Those who remain in it are His true learners, formed by His voice, anchored against deception, and prepared for freedom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jesus said to the Jews who had faith in him, If you keep my word, then you are truly my disciples;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus, therefore, said unto the Jews who believed in him, `If ye may remain in my word, truly my disciples ye are, and ye shall know the truth,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him: If you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore said to the Jews who believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples;
Context
Addressing new believers, Jesus sets conditions for genuine discipleship before speaking of freedom through truth in the next verse. This is crucial, because some in this group will react defensively when He describes their need for liberation. The movement is deliberate: from belief, to abiding, to knowing truth, to freedom. The coming exchange will reveal that lineage claims cannot substitute for abiding in Christ’s word. This context warns the reader that not all initial faith endures; true faith perseveres in His teaching, even when it confronts cherished assumptions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 12:14
If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve him, and hearken unto his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of Jehovah your God, well:
- Acts 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- Hebrews 8:9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
- Acts 13:43
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
- James 1:25
But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
- Acts 26:22
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;
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