The Passage
John 8:48-59
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet 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 make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Word Work
Ask and answer questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down your answers to these questions
Word Thoughts:
Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees in verse 58 is stunning. Having claimed that Abraham prophetically saw his coming and rejoiced at the prospect, now he declares that he existed even before Abraham. That is scandalous enough in itself, but there is more. Jesus does not say, “Before Abraham was, I was.” Instead he says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This, more than anything, is why the Jews pick up stones to kill him. Jesus is taking for himself the ancient covenant name God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3: I Am. (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- What does Jesus mean, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”?
- Why do the religious leaders think that Jesus has a demon?
51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
End in Prayer
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