耶稣和亚伯拉罕

37 “我知道你们是亚伯拉罕的子孙,但你们却想杀我,因为你们心里容不下我的道。 38 我所说的,是我从父那里看到的,你们却照着你们父[a]的话去做。”

39 他们说:“我们的父就是亚伯拉罕!”

耶稣说:“你们如果真是亚伯拉罕的子孙,一定会做他所做的事。 40 我把从上帝那里听到的真理告诉你们,你们反要杀我,亚伯拉罕绝不做这样的事。 41 你们是在做你们父所做的事。”

他们说:“我们不是从淫乱生的!我们只有一位父,就是上帝。”

42 耶稣说:“如果上帝是你们的父,你们一定会爱我,因为我来自上帝。如今我在这里,我不是凭自己来的,而是上帝差我来的, 43 你们为什么不明白我的话呢?因为你们听不进去我的道。 44 你们是出于你们的父魔鬼,你们乐意顺着它的私欲行。魔鬼从起初就是个杀人凶手,从不站在真理这一边,因为它心里根本没有真理。撒谎是它的本性,因为它是撒谎者,又是撒谎者的始祖。 45 所以,我讲真理的时候,你们不信我。 46 你们谁能指证我有罪呢?我既然把真理告诉了你们,你们为什么还不信我呢? 47 出于上帝的人听上帝的话,你们不听上帝的话,因为你们不是出于上帝。”

48 犹太人对祂说:“我们说你是撒玛利亚人[b],被鬼附身了,难道不对吗?”

49 耶稣说:“我没有被鬼附身。我尊敬我的父,你们却侮辱我。 50 我不为自己寻求荣耀,但有一位会为我寻求,祂也会断定谁是谁非。 51 我实实在在地告诉你们,人如果遵行我的道,必永远不死。”

52 那些犹太人说:“现在我们的确知道你是被鬼附身了!亚伯拉罕和众先知都死了,你还说人如果遵行你的道,必永远不死。 53 难道你比我们的祖先亚伯拉罕还大吗?他死了,先知们也死了,你以为你是谁?”

54 耶稣说:“如果我为自己争取荣耀,那荣耀算不了什么。但使我得荣耀的是我的父,你们也称祂为你们的上帝。 55 你们不认识祂,我却认识祂。如果我说我不认识祂,那我就像你们一样是说谎的。然而,我认识祂,并且遵行祂的道。 56 你们的祖先亚伯拉罕曾经欢欢喜喜地盼望看见我来的日子。他看见了,就欢喜快乐。”

57 犹太人说:“你还不到五十岁,怎么会见过亚伯拉罕呢?”

58 耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你们,亚伯拉罕还没有出生,我就已经存在了[c]。” 59 于是,他们就拿起石头要打祂,耶稣却避开他们,离开了圣殿。

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Footnotes

  1. 8:38 犹太文化中,“父”可指生身的父,亦可泛指祖先。
  2. 8:48 撒玛利亚人血统不纯,常被犹太人藐视,并当作骂人的话。
  3. 8:58 我就已经存在了”希腊文是“我是”,参见8:24注。

37 [Yes] I know that you are Abraham’s offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.

38 I tell the things which I have seen and learned at My Father’s side, and your actions also reflect what you have heard and learned from your father.

39 They retorted, Abraham is our father. Jesus said, If you were [truly] Abraham’s children, then you would do the works of Abraham [follow his example, do as Abraham did].

40 But now [instead] you are wanting and seeking to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth which I have heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted.

41 You are doing the works of your [own] father. They said to Him, We are not illegitimate children and born out of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me and respect Me and welcome Me gladly, for I proceeded (came forth) from God [out of His very presence]. I did not even come on My own authority or of My own accord (as self-appointed); but He sent Me.

43 Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]

44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.

45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me].

46 Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me [trust Me, rely on, and adhere to Me]?

47 Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him.

48 The Jews answered Him, Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and that You have a demon [that You are under the power of an evil spirit]?

49 Jesus answered, I am not possessed by a demon. On the contrary, I honor and reverence My Father and you dishonor (despise, vilify, and scorn) Me.

50 However, I am not in search of honor for Myself. [I do not seek and am not aiming for My own glory.] There is One Who [looks after that; He] seeks [My glory], and He is the Judge.

51 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone observes My teaching [lives in accordance with My message, keeps My word], he will by no means ever see and experience death.

52 The Jews said to Him, Now we know that You are under the power of a demon ([a]insane). Abraham died, and also the prophets, yet You say, If a man keeps My word, he will never taste of death into all eternity.

53 Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and all the prophets died! Who do You make Yourself out to be?

54 Jesus answered, If I were to glorify Myself (magnify, praise, and honor Myself), I would have no real glory, for My glory would be nothing and worthless. [My honor must come to Me from My Father.] It is My Father Who glorifies Me [Who extols Me, magnifies, and praises Me], of Whom you say that He is your God.

55 Yet you do not know Him or recognize Him and are not acquainted with Him, but I know Him. If I should say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I know Him and keep His word [obey His teachings, am faithful to His message].

56 Your forefather Abraham was extremely happy at the hope and prospect of seeing My day (My incarnation); and he did see it and was delighted.(A)

57 Then the Jews said to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?

58 Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I Am.(B)

59 So they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus, by mixing with the crowd, concealed Himself and went out of the temple [[b]enclosure].

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:52 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  2. John 8:59 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.