Week 7: John 8:31-47  

CONTEXT: “How does this passage fit within the history behind it and verses around it?”
Place the passage within its literary surroundings or historical background as well as consider the circumstances in which it was written (see above for more context questions).
  • The Jews claim to be children of Abraham. Who is Abraham and how is he a father to the Jews?
OBSERVATION: “What do I see in this passage?”
Examine the passage by making notes, asking questions, and considering the structure, tone, and wording of the passage (see above for more observation questions).
  • In John 8:31 Jesus says the truth will set you free. How many other ways do truth/lies and freedom/slavery show up in John 8:31-47?
  • Offspring and fatherhood are repeated in this passage. Who are the different fathers mentioned in this passage? How are they described?
  • Hearing is another repeated theme in this passage. Who is hearing who?
  • Each time Jesus says the word “if” he follows it with a description of discipleship. How does Jesus describe discipleship?

MEANING: “What does this passage mean?”
Consider the main point or idea that the original human author wanted his original audience to understand in a particular text from our study of context and observation thus far (see above for more meaning questions).
  • Jesus describes hearing with a deeper meaning than just sound hitting our ears. What sort of hearing does Jesus seem to have in mind? 
  • What does hearing and accepting Jesus’ words lead to? What does rejecting Jesus’ words lead to?
  • What does Jesus mean when he says both Abraham and God are not their fathers in verses 39-40, 42 and 47? How does Jesus connect hearing and fatherhood? 

APPLICATION: “How should this passage affect me today?”
Define shared principles between the original audience and us today and make a plan to put those principles into practice (see above for more application questions).
  • Jesus told these Jews “If God were your Father, you would love me (v. 42).” Our love for Jesus is a mark of discipleship. As we saw earlier, there are several “if” statements in this passage that connect to discipleship. Which ones are easy to practice and which ones are difficult to live out?
  • Read John 8:43. What thoughts, attitudes, or life-choices might make it ‘unbearable’ for people to hear the word of Jesus? What are ways that Jesus’ teaching and truth might seem ‘unbearable’ to you?