John 8:36
What does John 8:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:36 means
Jesus delivers the decisive promise: “If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Freedom from sin’s bondage is not achieved by effort, lineage, or law-keeping, but granted by the Son’s authority and work. His liberation is real, deep, and lasting—freedom indeed. He breaks guilt’s sentence, sin’s power, and death’s claim. This is personal and relational: the Son Himself acts to free. The offer is open, but acceptance demands abandoning false securities and trusting Him. The gospel here shines: true emancipation comes through the Son’s saving grace and lordship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If then the son makes you free, you will be truly free.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if then the son may make you free, in reality ye shall be free.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If therefore the Son shall set you free, ye shall be really free.
Context
This statement caps the household metaphor. After defining slavery to sin and contrasting slave and son, Jesus offers freedom through Himself. The next verses will confront the inconsistency of those claiming Abrahamic descent yet seeking to kill Him. The argument moves from offer to exposure: their rejection of His word shows they have no place for it and reveals a different spiritual paternity. Understanding this shift helps the reader see that freedom is inseparable from receiving Jesus and His word, and that opposition to Him betrays one’s true masters.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 119:32
I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart. ה HE.
- Zechariah 9:11
As for thee also, because of the blood of thy covenant I have set free thy prisoners from the pit wherein is no water.
- Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
- Psalms 119:133
Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
- Psalms 19:13
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.
- Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,
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