Historic pastoral reading
The Son frees slaves of sin. That is the claim in the passage.
John 8:31-36
The truth will set you free.
The text
WEB
31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
34 Jesus answered them, Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
36 If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
What kind of text
- Gospel
- John
- Freedom from sin
Jesus is speaking to people who had believed him, about remaining in his word.
How Christians have read this
Common misuse
Used for any revealing of facts, or for personal authenticity.
What the next verse does
The crowd answers that they have never been in bondage.
Older commentary
Matthew Henry
Henry on John 8:32: the truth is Christ's word, and the freedom is from the bondage of sin.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.