Charles Ellicott Commentary John 8:33

"They answered unto him, We are Abraham`s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" — John 8:33 (ASV)

They answered him—that is, the Jews who had believed in Him (John 8:31). There is no indication that this answer was made by others standing near, nor would this supposition have been made except for the difficulty of applying some of the words that follow (John 8:40; John 8:44) to those who had ever professedly been believers. However, the explanation is found in our Lord’s own warning words in John 8:31. He has tested their faith, and they fail in the first steps of discipleship.

We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man.—Their pride misinterprets His words and expresses itself in a boast which passes the limits of historical truth. It had been promised to Abraham, I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies (Genesis 22:17).

They were this seed. They interpret this promise as referring to national prosperity. Abraham’s seed in bondage! The thought is impossible. As in other cases , they forget part of the facts of history, for they have never learned their lessons. The Egyptian slavery and Babylonian captivity are passed over.

That very generation witnessed the insignia of Rome around them, paid taxes to Rome, and used Roman coin. However, it was the empire’s policy to leave subject provinces a nominal freedom; it may be that stress is laid on the words “been in bondage,” which occur nowhere else in the Gospels.

Those living then may have truthfully said that they had never been in actual bondage. Moreover, the current expectation of the Messiah at that time may have led them to interpret the promise to Abraham as applying specially to themselves.