John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Before {G4250} Abraham {G11} was {G1096}, I {G1473} am {G1510}.

Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! Before Avraham came into being, I AM!”

“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.

Commentary

John 8:58 KJV: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

Context

This powerful declaration by Jesus comes amidst a tense and escalating debate with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, particularly within the temple precincts. The discussion revolved around Jesus' identity, His relationship with God, and His claims of truth and freedom. The Jewish leaders, proud of their lineage from Abraham as their father, challenged Jesus' authority and origin. They questioned if He was greater than Abraham, who had died (John 8:53). Jesus' response in verse 58 is the climactic and most profound statement about His true nature, directly addressing their challenge and transcending their earthly understanding.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Identity: The core message is Jesus' claim to be divine, pre-existent, and eternal. This is not merely a claim to have existed before Abraham, but to possess the very nature of God.
  • Pre-existence of Christ: Jesus asserts His existence prior to Abraham, placing Him outside of human time and lineage. This speaks to His eternal nature as the Word of God, as introduced in John 1:1.
  • Authority and Sovereignty: By making such a profound claim, Jesus establishes His supreme authority, far surpassing any human prophet or patriarch, including Abraham.

Linguistic Insights: "I Am" (Ego Eimi)

The phrase "I am" in Greek is ego eimi (ἐγώ εἰμι). This is not a simple grammatical statement of existence. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), ego eimi is used to translate God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14, where God declares, "I AM THAT I AM." By using "I am" in this absolute sense, Jesus unequivocally identifies Himself with the eternal, self-existent God, Yahweh. This was understood by His listeners as a direct claim to divinity, which they considered blasphemy, hence their immediate attempt to stone Him (John 8:59).

Practical Application

John 8:58 is a foundational verse for understanding the person of Jesus Christ. For believers, it affirms His deity, His eternal nature, and His unique relationship with God the Father. It reminds us that Jesus is not merely a wise teacher, a prophet, or a good man, but God incarnate. This understanding deepens our worship, strengthens our faith in His power to save, and provides assurance that He is sovereign over all creation and time. It invites us to trust in a Savior who is truly divine and capable of fulfilling His promises, including the promise of being the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 3:14 (41 votes)

    And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

  • John 17:5 (22 votes)

    And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

  • Colossians 1:17 (22 votes)

    And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

  • John 1:1 (17 votes)

    ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

  • John 1:2 (17 votes)

    The same was in the beginning with God.

  • Isaiah 44:6 (16 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.

  • Revelation 1:8 (14 votes)

    I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.