John 8:35

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever.

Bible in Basic English

Now the servant does not go on living in the house for ever, but the son does.

Free Bible Version

A slave doesn't have a permanent place in the family, but the son is part of the family forever.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the seruant abideth not in the house for euer: but the Sonne abideth for euer.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

One Unity Resource Bible

A bond-servant does not live in the house forever. A son remains forever.

Plain English Version

You know, slaves don’t belong to their boss’s family for ever. But the boss’s son belongs to the family for ever.

Translation for Translators

A slave is not a permanent member of a family. But a son is a member of a family forever. Similarly, you say you are members of God’s family because you are descendants of Abraham, but really, because you are like slaves of your sinful desires, you are no longer permanent members of God’s family.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

Noah Webster Bible

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the Son abideth for ever.

World English Bible

A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.

Young's Literal Translation

and the servant doth not remain in the house — to the age, the son doth remain — to the age;

Context

The Truth Will Set You Free

³⁴Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.³⁵A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

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Summary

In this verse, Jesus is explaining to the Jews that a slave does not have a permanent place in a household, but a son belongs there forever. He uses this analogy to illustrate the difference between being a servant and being a child of God. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of being part of God's family through faith in Him, rather than being enslaved to sin. This verse highlights the eternal security and inheritance that believers have as children of God, contrasting it with the temporary and unstable nature of servitude.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

And the servant abideth not in the house - Or, rather, Now the slave abided not in the family. As if Jesus had said: And now that I am speaking of a slave, I will add one thing more, viz. a slave has no right to any part of the inheritance in the family to which he belongs; but the son, the legitimate son, has a right. He can make any servant of the family free, though no slave can. He can divide or bestow the inheritance as he pleases. Our Lord seems here to refer to the sending away of Ishmael, mentioned, Gen 21:10-14. Only those who are genuine children can inherit the estate. If sons, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: Gal 4:21-31; Rom 8:17; and see Bishop Pearce's Paraphrase.