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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-53.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/43_Jhn_08_53.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:53 - Before Abraham was Born, I Am" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. 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He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Whom do You make yourself?" <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too! Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be? ” <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? Even the prophets died. Who do You pretend to be?&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself? <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets have also died. Who do you think you are?" <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?" <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> You aren't greater than our father Abraham, who died, are you? The prophets also died. Who are you making yourself out to be?" <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> You aren't greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?" <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died; whom do You make Yourself?” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Whom do You make yourself?" <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died; whom dost thou make thyself?' <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thou art not greater than our father Abraham, who died; and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself? <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. So who do you make yourself to be?” <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Why, are you greater than our father Abraham who died, and the prophets who died? Whom do you make yourself? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Are you greater than our father Abraham who died and The Prophets who have died? Who are you making yourself?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom do you make yourself?<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Whether art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom do you make yourself? <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?<CM> <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? the prophets likewise are dead: pray, what do you then pretend to be? <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died? Whom makest Thou Thyself?" <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and the prophets are dead: whom dost thou pretend to be? <a href="/parallel/john/8-53.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3139" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Before Abraham was Born, I Am</a> …52“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death. 53<a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">Are</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: meizōn (Adj-NMS-C) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">greater than</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patros (N-GMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham?</a> <a href="/greek/3748.htm" title="3748: hostis (RelPro-NMS) -- Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. ">He</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">died,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">as did</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētai (N-NMP) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophets.</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanon (V-AIA-3P) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tina (IPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Who</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poieis (V-PIA-2S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do You claim to be?”</a> <a href="/greek/4572.htm" title="4572: seauton (PPro-AM2S) -- Of yourself. "></a> 54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-52.htm">John 8:52</a> “Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death. <a href="/john/7-52.htm">John 7:52</a> “Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.” <a href="/john/5-45.htm">John 5:45-47</a> Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. / If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. / But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” <a href="/matthew/12-42.htm">Matthew 12:42</a> The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. <a href="/luke/11-31.htm">Luke 11:31</a> The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. <a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Acts 3:13</a> The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a> Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— <a href="/romans/4-1.htm">Romans 4:1-3</a> What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” <a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4-5</a> the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen. <a href="/hebrews/3-3.htm">Hebrews 3:3-6</a> For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. / And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. / Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8-19</a> By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ... <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1-6</a> After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” / But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” ... <a href="/genesis/17-4.htm">Genesis 17:4-5</a> “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. / No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Genesis 18:18</a> Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?thou greater.<a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a> Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.<a href="/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12</a> Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?<a href="/john/10-29.htm">John 10:29,30</a> My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand… whom.<a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a> Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.<a href="/john/10-33.htm">John 10:33</a> The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.<a href="/john/19-7.htm">John 19:7</a> The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-52.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Really</a> <a href="/john/8-22.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/john/8-22.htm">Think</a> <a href="/john/8-13.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-56.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/john/11-14.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/john/11-14.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/8-56.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/john/10-10.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/acts/2-18.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/john/13-38.htm">Really</a> <a href="/john/17-8.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/john/11-8.htm">Think</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Thyself</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Are You greater than our father Abraham? This question reflects the Jewish leaders' reverence for Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, who is considered the father of the Jewish nation. Abraham is a central figure in Jewish history, known for his faith and obedience to God (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). The question implies a challenge to Jesus' authority and identity, as Abraham is a foundational figure in Judaism. The Jewish leaders are questioning whether Jesus claims a status or authority that surpasses that of Abraham, which would be a significant assertion given Abraham's esteemed position.He died, as did the prophets. This phrase acknowledges the mortality of Abraham and the prophets, who were revered figures in Jewish history. The prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, were God's messengers to Israel, often calling the people back to faithfulness. Their deaths highlight the human condition and the inevitability of death, even for those who were close to God. This statement sets the stage for contrasting Jesus' claims with the mortality of these revered figures, suggesting that if Jesus is greater, He must possess something beyond mere human existence.Who do You claim to be?” This question directly challenges Jesus to reveal His identity and authority. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes several "I Am" statements (e.g., <a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58</a>, "Before Abraham was born, I am!"), which echo God's self-revelation to Moses in <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a> ("I AM WHO I AM"). This question is pivotal as it invites Jesus to clarify His divine nature and mission. The Jewish leaders are pressing Jesus to make a clear declaration, which would either validate His claims or provide grounds for accusation. This moment is crucial in the unfolding narrative of Jesus' ministry and His revelation as the Son of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central figure in the New Testament, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the Messiah. In this passage, He is questioned by the Jews about His identity and authority. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Israelites, highly revered in Jewish tradition. He is considered the father of faith and a key figure in the covenant between God and His people. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophets.htm">The Prophets</a> Messengers sent by God to deliver His word to the people of Israel. They are respected figures in Jewish history, known for their teachings and prophecies. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_jews.htm">The Jews</a> In this context, they are the religious leaders and people questioning Jesus, challenging His claims and authority. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this interaction takes place, a central location for Jewish worship and the site of the Temple.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_identity.htm">Understanding Jesus' Identity</a> Jesus' response to the Jews' question challenges us to consider who we believe Jesus is. Recognizing Him as greater than Abraham and the prophets is essential to Christian faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and the prophecies of the Old Testament. Understanding this helps us see the continuity of God's plan through history. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_tradition.htm">Faith and Tradition</a> While tradition is important, faith in Jesus requires us to sometimes move beyond traditional understandings, as the Jews were challenged to do. <a href="/topical/t/the_authority_of_christ.htm">The Authority of Christ</a> Jesus' authority is rooted in His divine nature. Acknowledging His authority in our lives means submitting to His teachings and commands. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_questioning_in_faith.htm">The Role of Questioning in Faith</a> The Jews' questioning of Jesus, though skeptical, can remind us that asking questions is a part of growing in faith, as long as we are open to the truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/who_do_you_say_i_am.htm">Who do you say I am?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'i_am'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Before Abraham was, I am"?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_god's_grace.htm">What is the meaning of God's grace?</a> <a href="/q/is_god's_nature_different_in_testaments.htm">Is God's nature different between the Testaments?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(53) Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?--The question is exactly the same, with the substitution of "Abraham" for "Jacob," as that asked by the Samaritan woman in <a href="/john/4-12.htm" title="Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?">John 4:12</a> (see Note). "Surely thou art not greater than our father Abraham, who indeed died?"Whom makest thou thyself?--"If Abraham, who received God's covenant, himself died, and if the prophets, who uttered the oracles of God, themselves died, what kind of person dost Thou assert Thyself to be that Thy word shall deliver men from death?" The same phrase occurs again in <a href="/john/5-18.htm" title="Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.">John 5:18</a>; <a href="/john/10-33.htm" title="The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God.">John 10:33</a>; <a href="/john/19-7.htm" title="The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.">John 19:7</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 53. - Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? This use of ποιεῖν is not uncommon. "By thy own statements, whom wouldst thou have us believe that thou art?" (cf. <a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a>; <a href="/john/10-33.htm">John 10:33</a>; <a href="/john/19-7.htm">John 19:7, 12</a>). This claim to be Giver of immunity from death, and the further assumption that the belief of and continuance in his word would metamorphose and transfigure death itself, implied functions which "made" Jesus mightier, more august, than either Moses or Elijah, Abraham or the prophets, who were dead. "These all died who art thou?" <a href="/commentaries/john/8-53.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. You σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. greater than μείζων (meizōn) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. father πατρὸς (patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. Abraham? Ἀβραάμ (Abraam) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. [He] ὅστις (hostis) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3748.htm">Strong's 3748: </a> Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. died, ἀπέθανεν (apethanen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. [as did] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prophets. προφῆται (prophētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. Who τίνα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. do You claim to be?” ποιεῖς (poieis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-53.htm">John 8:53 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-53.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-52.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:52"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:52" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-54.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:54"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:54" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>