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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man." And yet if they must needs have been vexed, it might have been expected that they would have been so at the former part of His speech, at His having said, "Ye shall know the truth"; and that they would have replied, "What! do we not now know the truth? Is then the Law and our knowledge a lie?" But they cared for none of these things, they are grieved at worldly things, and these were their notions of bondage. …
Cyril of Alexandria
They laugh at the promise of our Saviour, rather they even take it ill, as though they were insulted. For that which has no share at all of bondage, how will it need (he says) of One Who calls us unto freedom, and Who gives us a something over and above what is in us already. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The proud Jews again cling to vain nobility and say with fury: "We are Abraham's seed." If they needed to be indignant, it should have been about something else. He said to them: "You shall know the truth." Therefore they should have said: "What then, do we not know the truth now? Are all the prescriptions of the law and our knowledge false?" But they cared about none of such things: they are concerned with worldly matters, thinking that He reproaches them for slavery and low birth. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Or it was not those who believed, but the unbelieving multitude that made this answer. But how could they say with truth, taking only secular bondage into account, that we have never been in bondage to any man? Was not Joseph sold? were not the holy prophets carried into captivity? Ungrateful people! Why does God remind you so continually of His having taken you out of the house of bondage if you never were in bondage? Why do you who are now talking, pay tribute to the Romans, if you never were in bondage?
Thomas Aquinas
Next (v 33), he shows that the Jews need this remedy. First, he amplifies on their presumption in denying that they need any such remedy; secondly, he shows in what respect they need this remedy (v 34). The presumption of the Jews is shown by their disdainful question: They replied: We are of the seed of Abraham, and we have never been the slaves of anyone. How is it that you say, You will be free? First, they affirm one thing; then deny another; and thirdly, pose their question. …
Bonaventure
"They answered him." Here is touched upon how the promised liberation is belittled by the Jews, because they considered themselves free; whence they boast of their freedom and do not care about liberation. Therefore they say to him: "We are the seed of Abraham and have never served anyone": and thus we are free by nature: "how do you say: You shall be made free," as if we were not now free? …
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