Bible Strands
John 8:31
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the Jews who had just believed in Him following His previous discourse. He addresses this specific group at this moment to establish the condition for authentic discipleship.
The words — πεπιστευκότας (pepisteukotas) means "having believed," denoting a completed past action that forms the group's current identity. The verse hinges on the conditional imperative to continue in His word, marking the threshold of true discipleship.
The thread — The pattern of remaining or continuing appears in 2 Timothy 3:14 as a call to persist in learned instruction, in 2 John 1:9 as a conditional description of those who abide in Christ's teaching, and in John 15:4 where abiding is directed toward Christ Himself rather than His teaching.
Why it lands — The text defines genuine discipleship by sustained adherence to His word rather than initial belief. A reader must evaluate whether their commitment to His instruction is actively maintained over time.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Cross-references
- 2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- John 15:4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
- 2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.
- 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- James 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
- Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well.
- John 6:66 From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
- Hebrews 3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.
- Romans 2:7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.