What does it mean that you will know the truth in John 8:32?

Answer

Jesus clearly stated that a genuine follower of Christ is characterized by remaining loyal to His teachings. He informed the Jews who trusted in Him, “If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32;ESV).

The term “know” in John 8:32 is derived from a Greek verb that signifies “to know experientially.” Comprehending something with the mind or intellect, often referred to as “head knowledge,” differs from knowing something experientially. We may acknowledge that something is detrimental to us yet still engage in it. However, when we trust Jesus’ words and implement “the truth that originates from him,” then we will “discard [our] old sinful nature and [our] former way of life” and “allow the Spirit to renew [our] thoughts and attitudes” so that the truth we adhere to liberates us “to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:20-24).

We will grasp the truth in a manner that liberates us from our previous sinful lifestyle when we experientially know Jesus, in word, action, and truth (see Colossians 3:17;1 John 3:18). “Our deeds will demonstrate that we are aligned with the truth” «And by this we will know that we are of the truth and will set our hearts at rest before him. », (1 John 3:19, NLT).

Understanding the truth involves encountering Jesus Christ by embracing His teachings as absolute truth and then faithfully obeying them. We accept the gospel message and Christ’s teachings, and then we adhere to them. The apostle John frequently presented the idea of genuine discipleship as understanding the truth of Christ experientially.

Essentially: “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments” (1 John 2:3;NLT;see also 1 John 2:29;1 John 3:16,24).

Knowing the truth is a rock-steady way of life. John 8:32 upholds the biblical concept that truth is the only dependable foundation for constructing one’s life see also Psalm 26:3. Jesus taught, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:24-27;NLT). If we plant our feet firmly on Christ’s truth and follow the path of His teachings, nothing can shake, derail, or destroy us.

Jesus is the personification of truth «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6). Only He embodies the truth that sets us free (Galatians 5:1;Romans 6:18;John 8:36). Those who know the truth are born-again believers who live in fellowship with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ: “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life” «And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life» (1 John 5:20;John 17:3).

Give us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” , (1 John 5:20, NLT).

“You will know the truth also expresses the moral commitment of genuine disciples to do the will of God (John 7:17; John 14:21, 23; James 1:25). We know the truth in the person of Jesus Christ, who prayed to the Father for us to be “made holy” by His truth and gave His own life as the sacrifice that made it possible for us to live out that truth (see John 17:14-19). Moreover, Jesus asked the Father to send us “the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth” (John 14:16-17; NLT; see also Ephesians 1:13).

When Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” He was telling His followers that obedience to God is the only way to experience true liberation—spiritual freedom from sin. The freedom Jesus offers is restored fellowship with the Father, who is the source of all true life. And the mark of one who has received this life is to remain faithful to His teachings.