Matthew Poole and continuators on John 8:39

39 They answered and said unto him , Abraham is our Father , Jesus said unto them if ye were Abrahams children, ye would do the works of Abraham .

This was their continual boast, as may be learned from Matth. 3.9. Glorying in their birth-priviledge; as Abraham being the Father of the whole Iewish Nation, and in [illegible: 1 word] Church-priviledge. Abraham being the Head of the Iewish Church, and he to whom the Promises were made.

But Christ taketh them off this glorying, by minding them, that the Blood of Abraham running in their Veins, would be of little significancy to them, so long as they did not walk in Abraham's steps. Men are truly to be accounted the Children of those, not from whom they are naturally Descended, but whose steps they walk in, and whom they imitate in their Conversations.

Marginal references: ver. 33.; Rom. 2.2[illegible: 1 letter]. and 9.7.