But the Pharisees took up his words, addressed to those who believed, and commented upon them, saying, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man; how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” Jesus looked upon these men,—the slaves of unbelief and bitter malice, whose thoughts were bent upon revenge,—and answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.” They were in the worst of bondage, ruled by the spirit of evil. Jesus declared to them that if they were the true children of Abraham, and lived in obedience to God, they would not seek to kill one who was speaking the truth that was given him of God. This was not doing the works of Abraham, whom they claimed as their father. {2SP 356.1}

Men farisæerne greb de ord, som han henvendte til dem, der troede, og gjorde bemærkninger om dem, idet de sagde: "Vi er Abrahams slægt og har aldrig været nogens trælle; hvor kan du da sige: "I skal være frie"?" Jesus betragtede disse mennesker - slaver af vantro og bitter ondskab, hvis hjerte var opfyldt af hævnlyst - og svarede dem: "Sandelig, sandelig siger jeg eder: enhver, der gør synd, er syndens træl." (34.vers) De lå i den værste trældom og beherskedes af det onde. Jesus vidnede for dem, at dersom de var Abrahams sande børn og levede i lydighed mod Gud så ville de ikke søge at ihjelslå et menneske, der talte sandhed, som Gud havde givet ham. På denne måde gjorde de ikke Abrahams gerninger, selvom de påstod, at han var deres fader.