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Jesus and Abraham

48 They asked Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?”

49 “I have no demon,” Jesus answered. “I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking honor for myself. But there is one who is seeking it and who judges in my favor. 51 I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die.”

52 They said to him, “Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Abraham died, and the prophets died, yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. 53 Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father—the very one you say is your God. 55 You have never known him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad.”

57 They said to him, “You are not even fifty years old—and you have seen Abraham?”[a]

58 “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus replied. “Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’.”

59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:57 you have seen Abraham?; some manuscripts have has Abraham seen you?

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.

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