John 8:33

They answered him Or, unto Him, according to the best MSS. -They" must mean -the Jews who had believed Him" (John 8:31): it is quite arbitrary to suppose any one else. The severe words which follow (John 8:44) are addressed to them, for turning back, after their momentary belief, as well as to those who had never believed at all.

Abraham's seed Comp. -kings of peoples shall be of her" (Sarah), and -thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" (Genesis 17:16; Genesis 22:17). On texts like these they build the proud belief that Jews have never yet been in bondage to any man. But passion once more blinds them to historical facts (see on John 7:52). The bondage in Egypt, the oppressions in the times of the Judges, the captivity in Babylon, and the Roman yoke, are all forgotten. Some, who think such forgetfulness incredible, interpret -we have never been lawfullyin bondage." -The Truth" would not free them from enforcedslavery. It might free them from voluntaryslavery, by teaching them that it was unlawful for them to be slaves. -But we know that already." This, however, is somewhat subtle, and the more literal interpretation is not incredible. The power which the human mind possesses of keeping inconvenient facts out of sight is very considerable. In either case we have another instance of gross inability to perceive the spiritual meaning of Christ's words. Comp. John 3:4; John 4:15; John 6:34.