BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS BORN, I AM!

John 8:37-59 / Keywords 8:58

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

8:37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[b]”

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[c] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

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; 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.”

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! 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? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it 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, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Footnotes

b. John 8:38 Or presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the Father.

c. John 8:39 Some early manuscripts “If you are Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then

1. The Jews claimed to be the children of Abraham, but their deeds were not of Abraham, for they were unbelieving, had no room for Jesus’ word, and even tried to kill Jesus. They were the children of the devil, a murderer and a liar from the beginning who hates the truth. He plants doubt and fear, tries to separate God’s children from God, and keep them from loving and trusting one another. They had no room for the truth and were not able to listen to Jesus’ word (43, 44). But whoever belongs to God loves Jesus, hears his word, believes, and obeys him. If anyone rejects Christ, they reject the Father who sent him.

2. The Jews mocked Jesus as demon possessed. They rejected his words and asked him, “Who do you think you are?” However, Jesus is the eternal Word of God who became flesh to fulfill God’s promises to Abraham (Ge 12:3; 22:18). Abraham looked down the corridors of history and, by faith, saw Jesus. By that faith he was saved. Jesus is God, who “was” before Abraham was born (58; Ex 3:14), who came to bring us back to God through his death and resurrection.

Prayer Lord, thank you for making me a child of God by Jesus’ blood by your grace. Help me love, listen to, and obey you from my heart.

One Word Jesus is the eternal God