35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

Other Translations of John 8:35

King James Version

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

English Standard Version

35  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

The Message

35 A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house.

New King James Version

35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

New Living Translation

35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 8:35

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.