Abraham's Deeds as Mentioned in John 8:39
Understanding Abraham's Deeds in John 8:39
Jesus' statement in John 8:39, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham," implies that Abraham's actions are a benchmark for those who claim to be his descendants [1]. To understand this verse, it's essential to examine Abraham's deeds as described in the biblical narrative and interpreted by various traditions.
Abraham's story is characterized by his obedience to God's commands. When God instructed him to "Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house" (Genesis 12:1), Abraham complied, demonstrating his faith and trust in God's promises [3, 4]. This act of obedience is highlighted in patristic sources as a key aspect of Abraham's character. For instance, Clement of one tradition notes that Abraham was found faithful because he rendered obedience to God's words [3].
The nature of Abraham's "works" is a subject of interpretation. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Jesus implies that if the Jews were truly Abraham's children, they would exhibit the same faith and obedience that Abraham demonstrated [2]. This perspective is supported by Augustine, who emphasizes Abraham's obedience and faith, particularly in the context of offering Isaac as a sacrifice [9].
Jewish traditions also offer insights into Abraham's deeds. The Midrash Rabbah interprets Abraham's actions as a demonstration of his commitment to mitzvot and good deeds from a young age [6]. Abraham Ibn Ezra comments on Abraham's righteousness, highlighting that it was evident in his deeds [5].
The specific "works of Abraham" mentioned in John 8:39 are not explicitly defined. However, the context suggests that Jesus is referring to actions that demonstrate faith and obedience to God. In the view of some commentators, this includes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, which is seen as a manifestation of his faith [8].
The interpretation of Abraham's deeds has significant implications for understanding Jesus' statement. If Abraham's works are characterized by faith and obedience, then Jesus is implying that those who claim to be his descendants should exhibit similar qualities. This understanding is consistent across various traditions, including patristic and Reformed interpretations [2, 7].
Sources
- John “John 8:39 (BSB) — “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 8:39: If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham--He had just said He "knew they were Abraham's children," that is, according to the flesh; but the children of his faith and holiness they were not, but the reverse.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. X.--CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.: Abraham, styled "the friend,"(11) was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Get thee out from thy country,, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land wh”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — CHAP. X.--CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.: Abraham, styled "the friend,"(2) was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land which I shall show thee”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 6:9: A MAN RIGHTEOUS. In his deeds.”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Shir HaShirim Rabbah 8:8:2: Rabbi Berekhya interpreted the verse regarding Abraham our patriarch. “We have a little sister [ aḥot ]” – this is Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham was one [ eḥad ], and he inherited the land” (Ezekiel 33:24). He united [ iḥa ] all mankind before the Holy One blessed be He. Bar Kappara said: Like a person who mends [ me’aḥeh ] a tear. When he was a child, 22 This sentence is based on the word “little” in the verse. he was engaged in mitzvot and good deeds. “And she has no breasts” – he had not yet reached the age of [obligation in] mitzvot and good”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 16.--OF THE ORDER AND NATURE OF THE PROMISES OF GOD WHICH WERE MADE TO ABRAHAM, (part 1): God's promises made to Abraham are now to be considered; for in these the oracles of ]our God, (6) that is, of the true God, began to appear more openly concerning the godly 321 people, whom prophetic authority foretold. The first of these reads thus: "And the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, and go into a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, ”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 2:23: scripture was fulfilled-- Gen 15:6, quoted by Paul, as realized in Abraham's justification by faith; but by James, as realized subsequently in Abraham's work of offering Isaac, which, he says, justified him. Plainly, then, James must mean by works the same thing as Paul means by faith, only that he speaks of faith at its manifested development, whereas Paul speaks of it in its germ. Abraham's offering of Isaac was not a mere act of obedience, but an act of faith. Isaac was the subject of the promises of God, that in him Abraham's seed should be called. ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 32.--OF ABRAHAM'S OBEDIENCE AND FAITH, WHICH WERE PROVED BY THE OFFERING UP, OF HIS SON IN SACRIFICE, AND OF SARAH'S DEATH. (part 2): promise offered up his only son, to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: thinking that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;" therefore he has added, "from whence also he received him in a similitude."[5] In whose similitude but His of whom the apostle says, "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all?"(6) And on this account Isaac also himself carri”