31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, " If you continue in My word , then you are truly disciples of Mine ; 32 and you will know the truth , and the truth will make you free ." 33 They answered Him, " We are Abraham's descendants and have never e yet been enslaved to anyone ; how is it that You say , 'You will become free '?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly , truly , I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin . 35 " The slave does not remain in the house forever ; the son does remain forever . 36 "So if the Son makes you free , you will be free indeed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 8:31-36
Commentary on John 8:30-36
(Read 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 hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin, was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust.