And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
What does John 8:32 mean?
Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside John 8:30-32 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on John 8:32
Shall know the truth - See the notes at John 7:17 . The truth shall make you free - The truth here means the Christian religion. Compare Galatians 3:1 ; Colossians 1:6 . The doctrines of the true religion shall make you free - that is, it will free you from the slavery of evil passions, corrupt propensities, and grovelling views. The condition of a sinner is that of a captive or a slave to sin.
Key words
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And ye shall know the truth,.
Context in John 8
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John 8 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as conflict and witness. John presents Jesus in contemplative, symbolic, and theological richness as the Word, Lamb, Light, Bread, Shepherd, Resurrection, Way, Vine, and Son. Read this chapter with the wider themes of incarnation, life, and light in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Who quoted John 8:32?
Find out who used John 8:32 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted John 8:32?
Harry S Truman used John 8:32 in Address in Winston-Salem at Groundbreaking Ceremonies, Wake Forest College.
APP: Address in Winston-Salem at Groundbreaking Ceremonies, Wake Forest College »
Harry S. Truman used John 8:32 in Address at Groundbreaking Ceremonies, Wake Forest College.
American Presidency Project: Truman at Wake Forest College »
Lyndon B. Johnson used John 8:32 in Commencement Address at the University of Texas.
American Presidency Project: LBJ commencement at the University of Texas »
Lyndon B. Johnson used John 8:32 in Remarks Upon Signing the Higher Education Act of 1965.
American Presidency Project: LBJ signing the Higher Education Act »
Ronald Reagan used John 8:32 in Remarks on Signing the Bill of Rights Day and Human Rights Day and Week Proclamation.
American Presidency Project: Reagan on Bill of Rights Day and Human Rights Week »
Bill Clinton used John 8:32 in Remarks on the 50th Anniversary of the Central Intelligence Agency.
American Presidency Project: Clinton at the 50th anniversary of the CIA »
Barack Obama used John 8:32 in Remarks and an Exchange with Reporters Announcing the Nomination of Admiral Dennis Blair as Director of National Intelligence and Leon Panetta as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Joe Biden used John 8:32 in Remarks at the Ceremonial Swearing-in of Leon E. Panetta as Director of the CIA.
American Presidency Project: Biden swearing in Leon Panetta at the CIA »
Joe Biden used John 8:32 in Remarks at a South Carolina Democratic Party Dinner.
American Presidency Project: Biden at the South Carolina Democratic Party dinner »
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «the truth shall make you free»):
All the King's Men · Brazil (1985 film) · City Life (short stories) · Free Love · Jair Bolsonaro · Liberty · Max Heindel · The Grand Inquisitor · Truth