Before Abraham Was, I AM

48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and (A)have a demon?”

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and (B)you dishonor Me. 50 And (C)I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, (D)if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You (E)have a demon! (F)Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. (G)Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, (H)“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. (I)It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is [a]your God. 55 Yet (J)you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and (K)keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham (L)rejoiced to see My day, (M)and he saw it and was glad.”

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

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (N)before Abraham was, (O)I AM.”

59 Then (P)they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, (Q)going[b] through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. John 8:54 NU, M our
  2. John 8:59 NU omits the rest of v. 59.

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan(A) and demon-possessed?”(B)

49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself;(C) but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”(D)

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!(E) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham?(F) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,(G) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.(H) 55 Though you do not know him,(I) I know him.(J) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.(K) 56 Your father Abraham(L) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it(M) and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,(N) I am!”(O) 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him,(P) but Jesus hid himself,(Q) slipping away from the temple grounds.

Read full chapter