Jesus and Abraham

48 The Jews responded to him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you’re a Samaritan(A) and have a demon?” (B)

49 “I do not have a demon,” Jesus answered. “On the contrary, I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I do not seek my own glory; (C) there is one who seeks it and judges. 51 Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word,(D) he will never see death.”

52 Then the Jews said, “Now we know you have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be?”

54 “If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father—about whom you say, ‘He is our God’—he is the one who glorifies me. 55 You do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say I don’t know him,(E) I would be a liar like you. But I do know him,(F) and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it(G) and was glad.”

57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?” [a]

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”(H)

59 So they picked up stones(I) to throw at him.(J) But Jesus was hidden[b](K) and went out of the temple.[c](L)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:57 Other mss read and Abraham has seen you?
  2. 8:59 Or Jesus hid himself
  3. 8:59 Other mss add and having gone through their midst, he passed by

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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