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Time after Pentecost · Year B

Reformation Day

October 31, 2027

Christ Enthroned among the Apostles, Unknown mosaicist, Santa Pudenziana
Christ Enthroned among the Apostles, Unknown mosaicist, Santa Pudenziana, c. 390Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, Rome
The oldest surviving monumental Christian apse mosaic, from around 390. Christ sits as a Roman emperor among senators, with a jewelled cross on the hill behind.If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. This is the earliest image of that teaching being given.Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, RomeOne of the oldest places of Christian worship in Rome, built into a second-century bath house, with a late fourth-century apse mosaic.Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, Rome
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 8:31-36Jn 8:31-36Alt. GospelMatt. 11:12-19Mt 11:12-19
EpistleRom. 3:19-28Rom 3:19-28
Old TestamentRev. 14:6-7Rev 14:6-7
PsalterPs. 46Ps 46

Overview & Insights

“If you abide in my word… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32)

The reaction of many of the Jewish authorities with whom Jesus has been speaking is to believe in him (v. 30), and the remainder of the discourse is focused on this group of “believers.” The prediction that they will realize later who Jesus is (v. 28) appears to be coming true even before they lift him up on the cross. It sounds, and it is, too good to be true. Their faith is not genuine (cf. 2:23–25). Jesus has directed their attention toward the future, but they will have none of it. The present is good enough for these “believers,” and they are satisfied with their current relationship to God.

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Take it further: John 8:31-36

Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on John 8:31-36Working Preacher: Commentary on Jn 8:31-36 Working Preacher

Lutheran Reformation Day commentary on freedom in the truth of Christ.

Enduring Word: John 8Enduring Word: Jn 8 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.

Precept Austin: John 8 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Jn 8 Commentary Precept Austin

Study page gathering many conservative commentators on John 8.

BibleHub: Commentaries on John 8:31BibleHub: Commentaries on Jn 8:31 BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries keyed to abiding in Jesus' word.

StudyLight: John 8 CommentariesStudyLight: Jn 8 Commentaries StudyLight

Many complete commentaries on John 8 gathered on one passage page.

Background & Word Study

BibleProject: Gospel of John OverviewBibleProject: Gospel of Jn Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the design and message of John's Gospel.

BibleHub: John 8 InterlinearBibleHub: Jn 8 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of John 8.

The Church Fathers

Catena: John 8Catena: Jn 8 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on John 8.

Podcast

Working Preacher: Sermon Brainwave for Reformation Sunday Working Preacher

Scholars discuss the appointed Reformation Day texts on the Brainwave podcast.

Art & Music

Vanderbilt: Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Lectionary art index for visual reflection on the day's readings.

Study Hub

The Text This Week: Reformation Day Textweek

Curated study, art, and preaching hub for the Reformation Day readings.

Questions preachers ask

What freedom does Jesus promise?

To those who hold to his word Jesus promises the truth that frees; everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:31–36). It is a cornerstone text for Reformation Day.

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