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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 8:58 "Truly, truly, I tell you," Jesus declared, "before Abraham was born, I am!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-58.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_08_58.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:58 - Before Abraham was Born, I Am" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Truly, truly, I tell you, Jesus declared, before Abraham was born, I am!" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-57.htm" title="John 8:57">◄</a> John 8:58 <a href="/john/8-59.htm" title="John 8:59">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Very truly I tell you,&#8221 Jesus answered, &#8220before Abraham was born, I am!&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am !” <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Jesus said to them, &#8220Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.” <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus said to them, &#8220I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "I tell you for certain that even before Abraham was, I was, and I am." <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus told them, "I can guarantee this truth: Before Abraham was ever born, I am." <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, 'I Am'." <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus told them, "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, before there was an Abraham, I AM!" <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Truly, truly, I tell you,? Jesus declared, ?before Abraham was born, I am!? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!" <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM." <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In most solemn truth," answered Jesus, "I tell you that before Abraham came into existence, I am." <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham’s coming—I AM”; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus said to them, 'Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham's coming -- I am;' <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was born, I am.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you, before Abraham was made, I am. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I am.” <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was born, I was. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yeshua said to them: “Timeless truth I speak to you: Before Abraham would exist, I AM THE LIVING GOD.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Jesus said to them: Verily, verily I say to you, before Abraham came into being, I was. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Jesus said unto them, <FR>Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Jesus said unto them, Before Abraham had a being, I Am. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was I AM. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "In most solemn truth," answered Jesus, "I tell you that before Abraham came into existence, I am." <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus said to them, <FR>"Verily, verily, I say to you, before Abraham existed, I am."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Jesus said unto them, <FR>Before Abraham was, I am.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-58.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=3185" 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> …57Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” 58<a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: Amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">“Truly,</a> <a href="/greek/281.htm" title="281: amēn (Heb) -- Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.">truly,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,” </a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">declared,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/4250.htm" title="4250: prin (Adv) -- Formerly, before. Adverb from pro; prior, sooner.">“before</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-AMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genesthai (V-ANM) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">was born,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">am!” </a> 59At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.…<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="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a> God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17</a> He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Revelation 1:8</a> “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty. <a href="/hebrews/13-8.htm">Hebrews 13:8</a> Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. <a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a> And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Philippians 2:6</a> Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a> But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. <a href="/isaiah/43-10.htm">Isaiah 43:10-11</a> “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. / I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a> I and the Father are one.” <a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a> Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <a href="/john/17-24.htm">John 17:24</a> Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. <a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a> Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. <a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a> Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.Verily.<a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34,51</a> Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin… Before.<a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1,2</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… <a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5,24</a> And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was… <a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22-30</a> The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old… I am.<a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a> 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.<a href="/isaiah/43-13.htm">Isaiah 43:13</a> Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?<a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Isaiah 44:6,8</a> 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… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-57.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-39.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/john/9-2.htm">Born</a> <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/john/8-59.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/10-1.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/10-1.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/10-1.htm">Verily</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>Truly, truly, I tell you, This phrase, often translated as "Verily, verily" or "Amen, amen," is a solemn affirmation used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and importance of His statement. It is a unique feature of Jesus' teaching style, indicating that what follows is of utmost significance. In Jewish tradition, the repetition of a word serves to strengthen its meaning, underscoring the authority and certainty of the message. This introduction sets the stage for a profound theological declaration.Jesus declared, The use of "declared" highlights the authoritative nature of Jesus' pronouncement. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks with authority, often challenging the religious leaders and prevailing interpretations of the Law. His declarations often reveal deeper spiritual truths and fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies, positioning Him as the ultimate teacher and revealer of God's will.before Abraham was born, This phrase situates Jesus' statement within the context of Jewish history and theology. Abraham is a central figure in Judaism, regarded as the father of the Jewish nation and a model of faith. By referencing Abraham, Jesus connects His identity to the foundational promises made to the patriarchs. The phrase also implies pre-existence, suggesting that Jesus' existence transcends time and history, a concept that aligns with the prologue of John's Gospel, which speaks of the Word existing "in the beginning."I am! This declaration is a direct reference to the divine name revealed to Moses in <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a>, where God identifies Himself as "I AM WHO I AM." By using "I am," Jesus is not only claiming pre-existence but also identifying Himself with Yahweh, the God of Israel. This assertion of divinity is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming the belief in Jesus as fully God and fully man. The reaction of the Jewish leaders, who perceive this as blasphemy, underscores the radical nature of His claim. This statement also connects to other "I am" sayings in John's Gospel, where Jesus reveals different aspects of His divine identity and mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is making a profound declaration about His identity and divinity. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> A patriarch of the Jewish faith, revered as the father of the nation of Israel. Jesus references Abraham to make a point about His eternal existence. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a> Religious leaders of the time who were often in opposition to Jesus. They are the audience to whom Jesus is speaking in this passage. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this conversation takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and the setting for many of Jesus' teachings. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the broader context of <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">John 8</a> suggests that this conversation occurs in or near the Temple, a central place of worship and teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_divinity.htm">Understanding Jesus' Divinity</a> Jesus' statement "I am" is a direct claim to His divine nature. Recognizing Jesus as God is foundational to Christian faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_eternal_nature_of_christ.htm">The Eternal Nature of Christ</a> Jesus' existence before Abraham underscores His eternal nature. Believers can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is unchanging and eternal. <a href="/topical/c/confronting_unbelief.htm">Confronting Unbelief</a> The reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus' claim challenges us to examine our own responses to Jesus' identity. Are we accepting or rejecting His divinity? <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_jesus'_words.htm">Faith in Jesus' Words</a> Jesus' declaration calls us to trust in His words and promises. His eternal nature assures us that His promises are reliable and true. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_jesus'_identity.htm">Living in Light of Jesus' Identity</a> Understanding who Jesus is should impact how we live our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose and in alignment with His teachings.<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/how_does_'i_am'_align_with_monotheism.htm">John 8:58: How can Jesus claim “I AM” in a way that matches God’s name in Exodus, without contradicting monotheism?</a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_lord,_liar,_lunatic,_legend,_or_guru.htm">Is Jesus a Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Legend, or Guru?</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/core_beliefs_of_unitarianism.htm">What are the core beliefs of Unitarianism?</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>(58) Before Abraham was, I am.--Better, Before Abraham was born, I am. (Comp. Note on <a href="/john/1-6.htm" title="There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.">John 1:6</a>; and see another striking instance in <a href="/luke/6-36.htm" title="Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.">Luke 6:36</a>, "Become ye merciful as your Father also is merciful.") Here they ask in wonder, not unmixed with scorn, if He was coeval with Abraham. The answer is that Abraham, like all men, came into being. There was a time when he was not. But there was never a time when the Son of God was not. In the time before Abraham, in the eternity before time (<a href="/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1</a>), He still was. No word which expresses becoming can be used of His existence. He is the I AM, present equally in the human "was," and "is," and "is to come."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 58. - The reply of Jesus to this taunt is one of the most surprising and baffling kind on any hypothesis of our Lord's consciousness being limited as that of all other of the sons of men. He gives the solemn emphasis of the Αμὴν ἀμὴν once more - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born (came into being), I am. Abraham came into existence by birth (the Vulgate translates, Antequam fierat Abraham Ego sum): I am. Numerous attempts have been made to explain this climacteric utterance on some humanistic theory. The contrast is very remarkable between γενέσθαι and εἰμι. Jesus Christ declared his own timeless existence to have been in his consciousness before Abraham came into being at all. The "I am" reminds us repeatedly, when used by Jesus, of the "I AM THAT I AM" of <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a>, and the "thou art" of <a href="/psalms/90.htm">Psalm 90</a>. (89:2, LXX.); Psalms 102:28. His human consciousness gave utterance to the awful depths of the eternal Ego. Now, some critics have limited it in its meaning to "I existed in the counsel of God." But there are three objections to this interpretation: one is (1) that the present tense, εἰμί, and not the past, η΅ν, was used by our Lord; and (2) on this interpretation Abraham must have also equally pre-existed in the counsel of God; and (3) such a statement would throw no light on the previous discourse. The Racovian Confession of Faith, based on the view of Socinus, explains, "Before Abram becomes Abraham, i.e. the father of many nations, I am it, the Messiah, the Light of the world." Not until my Messianic claims are acknowledged, and the many nations become children of Abraham, does Abraham really become Abraham, does his name derive its full meaning. This would be rabbinical trifling (J.P. Smith, 'Script. Test. to Messiah,' vol. 2). Beyschlag thinks that our Lord realized in his Person not a conscious pre-existence before Abraham, or before all worlds, but an impersonal principle, the image of God, which could only "be" in the eternal mind of God. There is a sense in which every man may realize such pre-existence as this, not merely "the Son of God," nor the new man in Christ, but every man whatsoever; but such a statement is entirely out of harmony with the whole passage that precedes. If the Jews had understood it in this sense, they would not have taken up stores to stone him, but, after their wont, would have said, "So also were we." "Ideas do not see one another." The first ἐγὼ εἰμί (ver. 12) brought out their angry unbelief, but this excites their murderous assault. We have to observe that this remarkable expression does not stand alone. St. John had reasons for saying "that the Word was with God, and was God. and was made flesh" (<a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1, 3, 14</a>). If Jesus, in his Divine consciousness, had never elsewhere spoken of having had a being before his manifestation (<a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46, 62</a>; <a href="/john/17-5.htm">John 17:5</a>), of having taken part with the Father from the beginning (<a href="/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17</a>), of being "one with the Father" (<a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30, 33</a>), of being greater than the temple or the sabbath, as being the Object of the eternal love in coming down from heaven, in laying down his life that he might take it again (<a href="/john/10-17.htm">John 10:17, 18</a>); and if the language of the apostles (<a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1, 2</a>; <a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17</a>; <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a>) had not entirely prepared our mind for the data on which such conclusions rested, a generation before this Gospel was reduced to form, we might join the effort to resist such a claim as that of eternal pre-existence. But the whole tenor of the Gospel and the entire New Testament teaching are seen, more and more, to turn upon this fundamental position - that in Christ dwells all the fulness of the Godhead, that he had life in himself, and eternity, and that the manhood has not only been lifted to the highest place in human remembrance, but to the midst of the throne. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-58.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Truly, Ἀμὴν (Amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. truly, ἀμὴν (amēn) Hebrew Word <a href="/greek/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely. I tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you,” ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. declared, Εἶπεν (Eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “before πρὶν (prin) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4250.htm">Strong's 4250: </a> Formerly, before. Adverb from pro; prior, sooner. Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Accusative 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. was born, γενέσθαι (genesthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am!” εἰμί (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st 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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:58 Jesus said to them Most certainly (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-57.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:57"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:57" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-59.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:59"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:59" /></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>