John 8.31-32:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV)
Most of us have heard the expression, “and the truth will set you free.” It has been said by people making a very serious point. And it has been said by comedians. It has been said in all measures of seriousness in between. The genuine truth and reality of this expression is grounded in the verses set forth above. They are words spoken by Jesus when certain Jewish leaders were bringing their unbelief and argumentation against him. In previous verses the Pharisees appear to be taunting Jesus. And they were doing so without understanding what Jesus was saying to them.
But there were some people present during this conversation who were listening carefully to what was being said. And as Jesus foretold that their religious leaders would crucify him*, many of the people who were present believed in Jesus. And it is after these events that Jesus spoke the above verses directly to the people who had believed in him.
*it is recorded in the gospels that the Jewish religious leaders advocated for the crucifixion of Jesus to the Roman government in Jerusalem, which was led by the Governor named Pilate.