John 8:32 Meaning of And the Truth Will Set You Free

John 8:32
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Explanation and Commentary of John 8:32

In the prior verse, Jesus tells those who have begun to believe in him that if they hold to his teaching, they are really his disciples. Then they will know the truth. They believed that he was who he said he was. Their belief would be put into action by holding to his teaching and so being his disciples. A disciple is a student or an apprentice.

Believing in Jesus’ work on the cross to redeem and save us must then lead to discipleship if we are to be “set free.” In the verses that follow John 8:32, Jesus would be specific about the bondage to sin that holds down the people of the world. The only way to be set free is to believe in Jesus. The only way to truly believe and so “know the truth,” is to live out his teaching, becoming his disciples.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 8:32

#1 “Then…”
When you have put Jesus’ words into practice by obeying his teaching you are a disciple. Only a disciple will be considered by Christ to be a true believer. To fail to put Jesus’ teaching into practice is to show yourself a practical unbeliever.

#2 “…you will know…”
There is intellectual knowledge, and there is experiential knowledge. Jesus promises that if we try his way, we will have the latter. Scribes tell of what they have heard. Disciples preach of what they know. To live out the teaching of Jesus is to build faith and assurance.

#3 “…the truth,”
Everything in this life and the next hinges on the truth. A follower of God must be a seeker and doer of the truth. There is an objective reality, and the wise will seek it out in order to live properly. The true seeker will find his or her way to God and will mine the depths of the truth in God’s light for eternity in heaven. It is all well and good to find “your truth” only insofar as “your truth” is the ultimate objective truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6).

#4 “and the truth will set you free.”
If you live the truth, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free from slavery to sin. Sadly, many Christians allow the god of this world, Satan, to blind them to this awesome reality. They settle for going to church and praying a prayer, but being a true disciple takes some courage. The outcome of living the truth is always the right outcome, but there are always obstacles in the narrow path. These obstacles and overcoming them are part of what God uses to train us for freedom. Trust him and face the truth. Confess your sins and live in the light of God (Jn 3:19). Go free.

Bible Study on John 8:32

Expert Overview of John Ch. 1-12

Biblical Translations of John 8:32

NIV
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

NLT
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

ESV
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

KJV
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

NKJV
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”