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John 8:40

ESV but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
NIV As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
NASB But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.
CSB But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
NLT Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.
KJV But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

What does John 8:40 mean?

In this escalating exchange with Jerusalem's religious leaders, Jesus has made claims to spiritual authority. He has given reasons to accept His claims, mostly by repeating the same clear facts He has taught since the beginning of His ministry. Jesus is sent by God the Father, speaks His words, and carries His message (John 8:21–30).

Most recently, His critics responded with their genealogy: they are the descendants of Abraham. This, however, does not make them legitimate children of God. As Jesus has shown, a "true son" of Abraham would do the things which Abraham did (John 8:39). Since Abraham obeyed God, and these hypocrites do not, they cannot claim Abraham as their spiritual father. Instead, their actions suggest that they are following a different example and a different spiritual father. In particular, they seek to murder the One who disagrees with them (John 5:18). This is part of a point towards which Jesus is building: that neither Abraham nor God are the "father" of these men. Instead, their source is someone connected to murder and lies. When Jesus fully reveals this criticism, it will result in outrage (John 8:59).
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