John 8:48-59

Contemporary English Version

Jesus and Abraham

⁴⁸ The people told Jesus, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan^[a] and that you have a demon in you!”

⁴⁹ Jesus answered, “I don't have a demon in me. I honor my Father, and you refuse to honor me. ⁵⁰ I don't want honor for myself. But there is one who wants me to be honored, and he is also the one who judges. ⁵¹ I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die.”

⁵² Then the people said, “Now we are sure that you have a demon. Abraham is dead, and so are the prophets. How can you say that no one who obeys your words will ever die? ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God, ⁵⁵ even though you don't really know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham was really glad to see me.”

⁵⁷ “You are not even 50 years old!” they said. “How could you have seen Abraham?”

⁵⁸ Jesus answered, “I tell you for certain that even before Abraham was, I was, and I am.”^{[b] 59} The people picked up stones to kill Jesus, but he hid and left the temple.