Before Abraham…I Am
TRANSLATION
(44) (Jesus said,) “You belong to your father the devil, and your will is to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning not holding to the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (45) But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. (46) Which of you convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? (47) The one who belongs to God listens to God’s words. You do not listen to them because you do not belong to God.”
(48) The Jews responded to him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?” (49) Jesus answered, “I am not demon-possessed but honor my Father, and you dishonor me. (50) But I am not seeking glory for myself. There is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. (51) Truly I tell you that whoever obeys my words will never see death.” (52) The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died as did the prophets, and you say, ‘Whoever obeys my words will never taste death.’ (53) Are you greater than our father Abraham who died and the prophets who died? Whom do you claim to be?” (54) Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. (55) Though you do not know him, I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him and keep his word. (56) Your father, Abraham, rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.” (57) The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old. Have you seen Abraham?” (58) Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you that before Abraham was born, I AM.” (59) They picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple.
OBSERVATIONS
The already heated discussion described in the previous passages in John came to a boil in this segment when the Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus for his blasphemous claims. Repetitions help us see how this happened: “father” (twice in vs. 44 both related to “the devil” in vss. 49 & 54 referring to Jesus’ heavenly Father, and in vss. 53 & 56 referring to “father Abraham”), “truth” (four times in vss. 44, 45, & 46), “liar/lies” (also four times in vss. 44 & 55), “demon” (three times in vss. 48, 49, & 52), “death/died” (four times in vss. 51, 52, & 53), and “know/known” four times in vs. 55).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus described the Jews’ unbelief as the result of Satanic blinding. (44-47)
II. The Jews responded by accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed. (48-53)
III. Jesus defended himself by making the astounding claim, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (54-58)
IV. When the Jews sought to stone him for blasphemy, he slipped away. (59)
IDEA STATEMENT
Jesus’ astounding claim to being greater than Abraham because he is I AM caused his hearers to seek to stone him for blasphemy.
APPLICATION
A decreasing number of people in our world know much about Jesus of Nazareth. They may recognize his name and acknowledge that he was a first-century Jewish teacher who founded the religion called “Christianity.” Some will go as far as to admit to his being an influential figure in human history and even admire him for his ethical teachings. However, his true identity as God’s incarnate Son, remains hidden from the vast majority, particularly those who are adherents of other world religions.
Only a few times during his earthly ministry did Jesus fully disclose his true identity, particularly to those who opposed him. In this passage, facing the false charges of being demonically possessed and a Samaritan, Jesus defended himself by revealing that he was the Son of God whose message would provide eternal life for those who keep his Word (vs. 51). When his opponents expressed incredulity that Jesus was, in essence, claiming to be greater than “our father Abraham,” he issued one of his most provocative statements: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Not only did he claim priority and superiority to the patriarch, Abraham, he also took to himself the very name of deity, “I AM,” or Yahweh. This clearly answers the question some have asked, “Did Jesus ever claim to be God?” His words in this instance could hardly have been clearer. It is no wonder that his hearers, devout Jews, took up stones to kill him for blasphemy.