John 8:58 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:51-59

In these verses we have, I. The doctrine of the immortality of believers laid down, John 8:51. It is ushered in with the usual solemn preface, Verily, verily, I say unto you, which commands both attention and assent, and this is what he says, If a man keep my sayings, he shall never see death. Here we have, 1. The character of a believer: he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus, ton logon ton emon?my word; that word of mine which I have delivered to you; this we must not only... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:56-59

8:56-59 "Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad." The Jews said to him: "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them: "This is the truth I tell you--before Abraham was I am." So they lifted stones to throw them at him, but Jesus slipped out of their sight, and went out of the Temple precincts. All the previous lightning flashes pale into significance before the blaze of this passage. When Jesus said to the Jews that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you ,.... Whether it will be believed or not, it is certainly fact: before Abraham was, I am ; which is to be understood, not of his being in the purpose and decree of God, foreordained to sufferings, and to glory; for so all the elect of God may be said to be before Abraham, being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world: or that Christ was man, before Abraham became the father of many nations; that is, before the calling of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:58

Before Abraham was, I am - The following is a literal translation of Calmet's note on this passage: - "I am from all eternity. I have existed before all ages. You consider in me only the person who speaks to you, and who has appeared to you within a particular time. But besides this human nature, which ye think ye know, there is in me a Divine and eternal nature. Both, united, subsist together in my person. Abraham knew how to distinguish them. He adored me as his God; and desired me as his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:58

Verse 58 58.Before Abraham was. As unbelievers judge only from the appearance of the flesh, Christ reminds them that he has something greater and higher than human appearance, which is hidden from the senses of the flesh, and is perceived only by the eyes of faith; and that, in this respect, he might be seen by the holy fathers, before he was manifested in the flesh. But he uses different verbs. Before Abraham was, (249) or, Before Abraham was born, (250) I am. (251) But by these words he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:31-59

describe a further conversation, not with the same audience. The words record a vivid conflict between the Lord and the Jews who believed him, who accepted the Messianic claims, but persisted in interpreting them, not by his word, but by their own ideas of the theocratic kingdom, by their privileges as children of Abraham, by their national animosity to their nearest neighbours the Samaritans, by their inability to press behind the veil of his humanity to his Divine nature. Their faith was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:47-58

(6) THE I AM . The claim to be the Source of liberty and life, in reply to those who appealed to their Father God and their father Abraham, led Jesus to assert his anteriority to Abraham. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:51-59

Deliverance of the believer from death. The dialogue now takes a new turn. I. THE BLESSED PROMISE MADE TO THE OBEDIENT DISCIPLE . "If a man keep my Word, he shall never see death." he evidently now addresses those Jews who believe in him. 1 . The character of discipleship. It 2 . The blessed destiny of discipleship. II. FRESH MISAPPREHENSION OF THE JEWS . "Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:54-59

Christ and Abraham. "Whom makest thou thyself?" In answer to this question and to the objections made by his opponents, our Lord further reveals himself. I. IN RELATION TO THE FATHER . 1 . His entire devotion to him. This includes: 2 . Some of the features of his peculiar honour. 3 . His entire contrast with his foes. II. IN HIS RELATION TO ABRAHAM , AND ABRAHAM TO HIM . These Jews claimed Abraham as their father, and attempted to cause... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 8:58

Verily, verily - This is an expression used only in John. It is a strong affirmation denoting particularly the great importance of what was about to be affirmed. See the notes at John 3:5.Before Abraham was - Before Abraham lived.I am - The expression I am, though in the present tense, is clearly designed to refer to a past time. Thus, in Psalms 90:2, “From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” Applied to God, it denotes continued existence without respect to time, so far as he is... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:51-59

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:56-59

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:58

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:58

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:58

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:31-59

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:47-58

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:51-59

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:54-59

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 8:58

Group of Brands