John 8 · Verse 31

John 8:31

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:31, King James Version

John 8:31 in other translations

BSBSo He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
WEBJesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
ASVJesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
YLTJesus, therefore, said unto the Jews who believed in him, ‘If ye may remain in my word, truly my disciples ye are, and ye shall know the truth,
DARBYJesus therefore said to the Jews who believed him, If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples;
BBEThen Jesus said to the Jews who had faith in him, If you keep my word, then you are truly my disciples;
WebsterThen said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed;

What does John 8:31 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 8:31-33
31-33. Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, &c.--The impression produced by the last words of our Lord may have become visible by some decisive movement, and here He takes advantage of it to press on them "continuance" in the faith, since then only were they His real disciples (compare Joh 15:3-8), and then should they experimentally "know the truth," and "by the truth be made (spiritually) free."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 31. If ye continue in my word. If you continue to obey my commandments and to receive my doctrines.

Then are ye, &c. This is the true test of Christian character. Jn 14:21. "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." See 1Jn 2:4, 3:24, 2Jn 1:6. In this place Jesus cautions them against too much confidence from their present feelings. They were just converted--converted under a single sermon. They had had no time to test their faith. Jesus assures them that if their faith should abide the test, if it should produce obedience to his commandments and a holy life, it would be proof that their faith was genuine, for the tree is known by its fruit. So we may say to all new converts, Do not repress your love or your joy, but do not be too confident. Your faith has not yet been tried, and if it does not produce a holy life it is vain, Jas 2:17-26.

(a) "continue" Rom 2:7, Col 1:23, Heb 10:38,39

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 31 If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples of Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 8:30-36

Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises, and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal…

Read the full comment on John 8:30-36 →

John 8:31 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἜλεγενElegenWas sayingG3004
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ὁho<the>G3588
ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
πρὸςprostoG4314
τοὺςtoustheG3588
πεπιστευκόταςpepisteukotashaving believedG4100
αὐτῷautōin HimG846
Ἰουδαίους·IoudaiousJews;G2453
ἐὰνeanIfG1437
ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771
μείνητεmeinēteshall abideG3306
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
λόγῳlogōwordG3056
τῷtō<the>G3588
ἐμῷ,emōof Mine,G1473
ἀληθῶςalēthōstrulyG230
μαθηταίmathētaidisciplesG3101
μούmouof MineG3165
ἐστε,esteyou are,G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 8:31

  • 2 John 1:9

    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

  • John 15:4-9

    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. …

  • 2 Timothy 3:14

    But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

  • 1 Timothy 4:16

    Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

  • James 1:25

    But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

  • Colossians 1:23

    If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

  • 1 Samuel 12:14

    If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:

  • John 6:66-71

    From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. …

  • Hebrews 3:14

    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

  • Romans 2:7

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

  • Matthew 24:13

    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

  • Acts 14:22

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
If.
6:66-71; 15:4-9; 1Sa 12:14; Mt 24:13; Ac 13:43; 14:22; 26:22; Ro 2:7
Ro 11:22; Col 1:23; 1Ti 2:15; 4:16; 2Ti 3:14; Heb 3:14; 8:9; 10:38,39
Jas 1:25; 1Jo 2:19,24
my disciples.
36; 1:47; 6:55; 15:8; 1Ti 5:3-5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 8:30

    As he spake these words, many believed on him.

  • John 8:31

    Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

  • John 8:32

    And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Read all of John 8

John 8:31 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y decía Jesús á los Judíos que le habían creído: Si vosotros permaneciereis en mi palabra, seréis verdaderamente mis discípulos;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Jésus donc dit aux Juifs qui avaient cru en lui: Si vous persévérez dans ma parole, vous êtes vraiment mes disciples;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jesus sprach nun zu den Juden, welche ihm geglaubt hatten: Wenn ihr in meinem Worte bleibet, so seid ihr wahrhaft meine Jünger;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Dicebat ergo Jesus ad eos, qui crediderunt ei, Judæos: Si vos manseritis in sermone meo, vere discipuli mei eritis,