The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham. Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham. The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God. They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting 467 against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children.

Farisæerne havde erklæret, at de var Abrahams børn. Jesus sagde til dem, at dette krav kun kunne ske fyldest, ved at de gjorde Abrahams gerninger. Abrahams sande børn måtte leve, ligesom han gjorde det, i lydighed mod Gud. De ville søge at dræbe den, der talte den sandhed, der var overgivet ham af Gud. De skriftkloge gjorde ikke Abrahams gerninger ved at danne sammensværgelser mod Kristus. Det havde ikke noget værd blot i lige linje at nedstamme fra Abraham. Uden en åndelig forbindelse med ham, der ville give sig udtryk ved at være i besiddelse af den samme ånd og gøre de samme gerninger, var de ikke hans børn.