King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Avraham avinu died; you aren’t greater than he, are you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?”
Berean Standard Bible:
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”
American Standard Version:
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Art{G3361}{G1488} thou{G4771} greater than{G3187} our{G2257} father{G3962} Abraham{G11}, which{G3748} is dead{G599}? and{G2532} the prophets{G4396} are dead{G599}: whom{G5101} makest{G4160} thou{G4771} thyself{G4572}?
Cross-References (KJV):
John 4:12
- Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Romans 9:5
- Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 7:1
- ¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 7:7
- And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Matthew 12:41
- The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.
Matthew 12:42
- The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here.
John 8:58
- Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
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Commentary for John 8:53
John 8:53 is part of a larger discourse in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is engaged in a heated exchange with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse reflects the tension between Jesus' teachings and the traditional Jewish beliefs of the time. In this verse, the Jewish leaders challenge Jesus, questioning whether He considers Himself greater than Abraham and the prophets, who are revered patriarchs and spokesmen of God in Jewish history. Their question is both incredulous and accusatory, implying that Jesus, a man, is blaspheming by seemingly placing Himself above these honored figures who have passed away.
The themes present in this verse include the authority of Jesus, the identity of the Messiah, and the nature of eternal life. The Jewish leaders struggle to comprehend how Jesus could be greater than their ancestors, missing the point that Jesus is claiming a unique relationship with God the Father as the Son of God, sent by the Father to bring salvation. This claim is central to the Christian understanding of Jesus as the incarnate Word, fully divine and fully human, and as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
Historically, this verse captures the conflict between the old covenant, represented by Abraham and the prophets, and the new covenant that Jesus inaugurates. It also highlights the resistance Jesus faced from the religious establishment of His day, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. The question posed by the Jewish leaders in John 8:53 is thus a pivotal moment in the narrative, setting the stage for Jesus to further reveal His divine identity and mission.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ. - Strong's Number: G1488
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἶ
Transliteration: eî
Pronunciation: i
Description: second person singular present of εἰμί; thou art:--art, be. - Strong's Number: G4771
There are 163 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σύ
Transliteration: sý
Pronunciation: soo
Description: the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou:-- thou. See also σέ, σοί, σοῦ; and for the plural ὑμᾶς, ὑμεῖς, ὑμῖν, ὑμῶν. - Strong's Number: G3187
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μείζων
Transliteration: meízōn
Pronunciation: mide'-zone
Description: irregular comparative of μέγας; larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age):--elder, greater(-est), more. - Strong's Number: G2257
There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῶν
Transliteration: hēmōn
Pronunciation: hay-mone'
Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we. - Strong's Number: G3962
There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πατήρ
Transliteration: patḗr
Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent. - Strong's Number: G11
There are 3442 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἀβραάμ
Transliteration: Abraám
Pronunciation: ab-rah-am'
Description: of Hebrew origin (אַבְרָהָם); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch:--Abraham. (In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.) - Strong's Number: G3748
There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅστις
Transliteration: hóstis
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι. - Strong's Number: G599
There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποθνήσκω
Transliteration: apothnḗskō
Pronunciation: ap-oth-nace'-ko
Description: from ἀπό and θνήσκω; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with). - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G4396
There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προφήτης
Transliteration: prophḗtēs
Pronunciation: prof-ay'-tace
Description: from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet. - Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why. - Strong's Number: G4160
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ποιέω
Transliteration: poiéō
Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω. - Strong's Number: G4572
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σεαυτοῦ
Transliteration: seautoû
Pronunciation: sow-ton'
Description: genitive case from σέ and αὐτός, also dative case of the same, , and accusative case , likewise contracted , , and , respectively; of (with, to) thyself:--thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self).