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John 8:48-59
Jesus and Abraham
48The people told Jesus, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and that you have a demon in you!”
49Jesus answered, “I don't have a demon in me. I honor my Father, and you refuse to honor me. 50I don't want honor for myself. But there is one who wants me to be honored, and he is also the one who judges. 51I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die.”
52Then the people said, “Now we are sure that you have a demon. Abraham is dead, and so are the prophets. How can you say that no one who obeys your words will ever die? 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54Jesus replied, “If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God, 55even though you don't really know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says. 56Your father Abraham was really glad to see me.”
57“You are not even 50 years old!” they said. “How could you have seen Abraham?”
58Jesus answered, “I tell you for certain that even before Abraham was, I was, and I am.” 59The people picked up stones to kill Jesus, but he hid and left the temple.
John 8:48-59
Jesus’ claims about himself
48The Jews answered him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?’
49‘I am not possessed by a demon,’ said Jesus, ‘but I honour my Father and you dishonour me. 50I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.’
52At this they exclaimed, ‘Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?’
54Jesus replied, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’
57‘You are not yet fifty years old,’ they said to him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’
58‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ 59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
