CINXE.COM

<!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 8:51 Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-51.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/43_Jhn_08_51.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:51 - Before Abraham was Born, I Am" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/8-51.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/8-51.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 51</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/8-50.htm" title="John 8:50">◄</a> John 8:51 <a href="/john/8-52.htm" title="John 8:52">►</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> Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death, to the age." <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone follows My word, he will never see death.” <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death—ever.” <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if anyone keeps My word [by living in accordance with My message] he will indeed never, ever see and experience death.” <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I assure you: If anyone keeps My word, he will never see death—ever!&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die." <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I can guarantee this truth: Whoever obeys what I say will never see death." <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die." <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death." <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death." <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man shall keep my saying, he shall never see death. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death." <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone may keep My word, he may not see death—throughout the age.” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death, to the age." <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> verily, verily, I say to you, If any one may keep my word, death he may not see -- to the age.' <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, If any keep my word, he should never see death.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Amen, amen I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Amen, amen, I say to you, if anyone will have kept my word, he will not see death for eternity.” <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever obeys my word, shall never see death. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Timeless truth I speak to you: whoever keeps my word shall never see death.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Verily, verily I say to you, if any one will keep my word, he shall never see death.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Truly, truly, I say unto you, if any one may keep my word, he may never see death.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, If any man observe my saying, he shall never see death to all eternity. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> verily, verily, I say unto you, whoever observes my doctrine, shall never die. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death." <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Verily, verily, I say to you, if any one keeps My word, he shall never see death."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Verily, verily, I say unto you, If any <Fr>one<FR> keep my word, he shall never see death.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-51.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=3119" 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> …50I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge. 51<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/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">keeps</a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emon (PPro-AM1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logon (N-AMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></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/2334.htm" title="2334: theōrēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">he will never see</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/165.htm" title="165: aiōna (N-AMS) -- From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period."></a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanaton (N-AMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">death.” </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.…<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/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” <a href="/1_john/2-25.htm">1 John 2:25</a> And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-13</a> And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. / I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. <a href="/john/6-47.htm">John 6:47</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a> For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Revelation 21:4</a> ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-54.htm">1 Corinthians 15:54-57</a> When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” / “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” / The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ... <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14-15</a> Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. <a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">2 Timothy 1:10</a> And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel, <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16-17</a> Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” / “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-28</a> One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ... <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10-11</a> For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. / You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. <a href="/isaiah/25-8.htm">Isaiah 25:8</a> He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.If.<a href="/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15,16</a> That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life… <a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.<a href="/john/6-50.htm">John 6:50</a> This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.keep.<a href="/john/8-55.htm">John 8:55</a> Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.<a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a> Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.see.<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.<a href="/psalms/89-48.htm">Psalm 89:48</a> What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.<a href="/luke/2-26.htm">Luke 2:26</a> And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-35.htm">Age</a> <a href="/john/8-3.htm">Case</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/7-19.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/luke/17-10.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-21.htm">Age</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Case</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-58.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/john/8-52.htm">Word</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. In Jewish culture, repetition is a method of adding emphasis, indicating that what follows is of utmost significance. This introduction is unique to Jesus in the Gospels, underscoring His authority and the divine truth of His message. It is a call to pay close attention, as Jesus is about to reveal a profound spiritual truth.if anyone keeps My word The condition "if anyone keeps My word" highlights the necessity of obedience and faithfulness to Jesus' teachings. In the Jewish tradition, keeping God's commandments was central to the covenant relationship with Him. Here, Jesus equates His word with divine authority, suggesting that His teachings are not merely good advice but are essential for spiritual life. This echoes the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>, where the Israelites are commanded to love the Lord and keep His commandments. It also connects to <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>, where Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments," emphasizing the link between love, obedience, and discipleship.he will never see death.” The promise "he will never see death" refers to eternal life, a central theme in the Gospel of John. While physical death is a reality for all, Jesus speaks of a spiritual life that transcends physical death. This assurance is rooted in the belief in the resurrection and eternal life, as seen in <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a>, where Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies." The phrase also reflects the Jewish understanding of death as separation from God, and Jesus promises that those who keep His word will not experience this separation. This promise is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah bringing eternal life, such as in <a href="/isaiah/25-8.htm">Isaiah 25:8</a>, which speaks of God swallowing up death forever.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and the crowd. He is the central figure in the Gospel of John, presenting Himself as the Son of God and the source of eternal life. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The audience includes the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders who are often in conflict with Jesus throughout the Gospel of John. They challenge His authority and teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse is likely in or near the temple in Jerusalem, where Jesus often taught and engaged with the religious leaders. 4. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life.htm">Eternal Life</a> The concept of eternal life is a key theme in this passage, as Jesus promises that those who keep His word will never see death. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_word_of_jesus.htm">The Word of Jesus</a> Refers to the teachings and commandments of Jesus, which are central to the Christian faith and the path to eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_eternal_life.htm">The Assurance of Eternal Life</a> Jesus provides a clear promise of eternal life to those who keep His word. This assurance should be a source of hope and motivation for believers to live according to His teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Keeping Jesus' word is not merely about intellectual assent but involves active obedience. This obedience is a demonstration of genuine faith and love for Christ. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_never_see_death.htm">Understanding Never See Death</a> The phrase "never see death" refers to spiritual death. While physical death is a reality, believers are promised eternal life with God, transcending physical death. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_jesus'_promises.htm">The Role of Faith in Jesus' Promises</a> Faith in Jesus and His word is crucial. Believers are called to trust in His promises, even when faced with doubts or challenges. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_an_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with an Eternal Perspective</a> This promise encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on spiritual growth and the kingdom of God rather than temporary worldly concerns.<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/what_does_'struck_down'_mean.htm">Is your heart truly repentant, beyond outward appearances?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_proverbs_20_1.htm">What does 'free indeed' mean in John 8:36?</a> <a href="/q/why_accuse_jesus_of_blasphemy_in_john_10.htm">Why did some listeners accuse Jesus of blasphemy in John 10:31-36 if he never explicitly claimed to be God by name?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_jesus_fully_god_and_man.htm">How can Jesus be 100% God and 100% man at the same time?</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>(51) If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.--Better, If a man keep My word. Our version obscures the close connection with the thought of "continuing in His word" in <a href="/john/8-31.htm" title="Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;">John 8:31</a>; and also that with "He that heareth my word," in <a href="/john/5-24.htm" title="Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.">John 5:24</a>. This last passage is the key to the words before us. Here, as there, the thought of judgment and death leads to the opposite thought of coming not into judgment, but passing out of death into life. Here, as there, the believer is thought of as possessing the true spiritual life which cannot see death, but shall pass into the fuller spiritual life hereafter.Another interpretation of the phrase rendered "He shall never see death," is "he shall not see death for ever"--i.e., "he shall indeed die, but that death shall only be in this world, it shall not be in the world which is for ever." This is the thought in the collect in "The Order for the Burial of the Dead ". . . "our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die eternally."The following are the only passages in St. John where exactly the same formula is used, and a comparison of them will make it clear that it means, as does the Hebrew formula on which it is based, that which we express by "never," or "certainly never." "by no means ever," for the negative is in its strongest form (<a href="/john/4-14.htm" title="But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.">John 4:14</a>, <a href="/john/8-52.htm" title="Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.">John 8:52</a> in this <a href="/john/10-28.htm" title="And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.">John 10:28</a>; <a href="/john/11-26.htm" title="And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?">John 11:26</a>; <a href="/john/13-8.htm" title="Peter said to him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me.">John 13:8</a>). The first and last of these passages refer to subjects ("shall never thirst," "shall never wash my feet"), which do not admit any possibility of doubt. The others are all parallel to the present text, in thought as well as in word. In all there is the fuller meaning that for the believer who now has spiritual life, and continues to live in communion with God, there cannot be death. "He shall never see death." What we think of as death is but a sleep. (See Note on <a href="/john/11-11.htm" title="These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.">John 11:11</a>.) Death has been swallowed up of life, and physical death is thought of, in its true sense, as an entering into life. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 51. - Verily, verily. This impressive recommencement of discourse implies that a new turn is given to the conversation, and that the gravest solemnity and importance is attached to the utterance. It is impossible that the Jews should have listened unmoved to Christ's rejoinder on their rude taunt, or been unimpressed by the self-composed and lofty way in which the honour of our Lord was calmly entrusted by him to the Father. The Jews may say what they please, call him by any opprobrious name they choose; "there is One that seeketh" his glory, and he is content. He has, in earlier portions of this discourse, promised freedom and sonship to those who abide in his word; and now to those who believed on him he says, with extraordinary emphasis, If a man (any one) have kept my word, he shall never behold death. This "keeping" is more than "abiding" in the word. There is the additional notion of intently watching the "keeping," which issues in "fulfilling" and "obeying" (Meyer and Tholuck); see ver. 55; <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15, 21, 23</a>; <a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a>; <a href="/john/17-6.htm">John 17:6</a>. The opposite of τηρεῖν would be "to disregard;" the opposite of φυλάσσειν would be "to let slip" (Westcott). The promise is dazzling: "He shall never behold," i.e. steadily or exhaustively know by experience, what death means and is. He may pass through physical death, he may (γεύσηται) taste of dissolution, he may come before the judgment seat, he may see corruption (ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν); but he will not behold (θεωρεῖν) death. He will never know what death is (cf. here; <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>; <a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a>; <a href="/john/6-51.htm">John 6:51</a>, where the Saviour speaks of the "living water," and "life eternal," and "living bread," which whoso partaketh shall never die.. See also <a href="/john/11-26.htm">John 11:26</a>). He does not tell his disciples that they shall not see the grave, but that in the deepest sense they shall never die. "Death" and "life" are words that are lifted into a higher connotation. Death is a moral state, not an event in their physical existence. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-51.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. if ἐάν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. keeps τηρήσῃ (tērēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. My ἐμὸν (emon) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. word, λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. he will never see θεωρήσῃ (theōrēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge). death.” θάνατον (thanaton) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:51 Most certainly I tell you if (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-50.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:50"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:50" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-52.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:52"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:52" /></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>