John 8:37
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
I know that ye are Abraham's seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
I am conscious that you are Abraham's seed; but you have a desire to put me to death because my word has no place in you.
Webster's Revision
I know that ye are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
World English Bible
I know that you are Abraham's seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
English Revised Version (ERV)
I know that ye are Abraham's seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.
Clarke's John 8:37 Bible Commentary
My word hath no place in you - Or, this doctrine of mine hath no place to you. Ye hear the truths of God, but ye do not heed them: the word of life has no influence over you; and how can it, when you seek to kill me because I proclaim this truth to you?
It is a dismal omen when a person is regardless of the truth of God: it is more so to be provoked against it: but to persecute and endeavor to destroy those who preach it is the last degree of perverseness and obduracy. The word of God requires a heart which is empty. A heart filled with earthly projects, carnal interests ambition, thoughts of raising a fortune, and with the love of the superfluities and pleasures of life, is not fit to receive the seed of the kingdom. When a man shuts his heart against it by his passions, he at the same time opens it to all sorts of crimes. Quesnel.
From what is here said, it is manifest, says Dr. Lightfoot, that the whole tendency of our Savior's discourse is to show the Jews, that they are the seed of that serpent which was to bruise the heel of the Messiah: else what could that mean, John 8:44 : Ye are of your father the devil, i.e. ye are the seed of the serpent.
Barnes's John 8:37 Bible Commentary
I know ... - I admit that you are the descendants of Abraham. Jesus did not wish to call that in question, but he endeavored to show them that they might be his descendants and still lack entirely his spirit. See the notes at Matthew 3:9.
Ye seek to kill me - John 5:16; John 7:32.
Because my word - My doctrine; the principles of my religion. You have not the spirit of my doctrine; you hate it, and you therefore seek to kill me.
Hath no place - That is, you do not embrace my doctrine, or it exerts no influence over you. The original word conveys the notion that there was no room for his doctrine in their minds. It met with obstructions, and did not penetrate into their hearts. They were so filled with pride, and prejudice, and false notions, that they would not receive his truth; and as they had not his truth or spirit, and could not bear it, they sought to kill him.
Wesley's John 8:37 Bible Commentary
8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's offspring — As to the other branch of your objection, I know that, ye are Abraham's offspring, after the flesh; but not in a spiritual sense. Ye are not followers of the faith of Abraham: my word hath no place in your hearts.