John 8:39

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

They answered Him, “Our forefather was Abraham.” Jesus replied to them, “If you were Abraham’s descendants, you would do the [kinds of] deeds that Abraham did.

Cross References

Matthew 3:9

and quit thinking to yourselves, we claim Abraham as our forefather, because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham’s children out of these stones.

Matthew 5:45

in order to be [true] children of your Father in heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on evil [as well] as on good people. He [also] sends rain on those who live right [as well] as on those who do not live right.

John 8:33

They replied to Him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be set free’?”

John 8:37

I know that you people are [all] descendants of Abraham; yet you are trying to kill me because you will not allow my message to affect you.

John 8:43

Why do you people not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot [bear to] listen to my message.

John 8:56

Your forefather Abraham was glad that he could look forward to my day [i.e., by faith he anticipated the coming of the Messiah. See Heb. 11:13ff]. And he saw it [by faith] and was glad.”

Romans 4:12

And he also became the father of circumcised people [i.e., the Jews], who are not only circumcised, but who also follow the [same] example of faith [in God] which our forefather Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Romans 4:16

For this reason, the promise [i.e., of being made right with God] comes through faith [in God], according to His unearned favor, so that it may be [given] with certainty to all of Abraham’s descendants. The promise is given not only to those [who live] under the law [i.e., the Jews], but also to [all] those [who live] by faith, like Abraham. Abraham is the [spiritual] father of all of us [believers],

Romans 9:7

Neither are all [Jewish] people children [of God], [simply] because they are Abraham’s descendants. But [Gen. 21:12 says], “It is through Isaac that you [i.e., Abraham] will have descendants.”

Galatians 3:29

And if you belong to Christ, then you are [truly] Abraham’s seed [i.e., his spiritual descendants] and thereby [you will] inherit what was promised to him [i.e., God’s blessings].

Galatians 3:7

You should know, then, that people who have faith are [truly] God’s children.