were never. any man, &c. Have been in bondage to no one (App-105) at any time. Thus ignoring all historical facts. These were "the Jews" who believed in John 8:31, and thus proved themselves not "believers indeed".
Related Commentaries of John 8:33
John 8:33
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou,Ye shall be made free?