JOHN 8:58
In John 8:56-59 Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Then said the Jews unto him, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. {KJV}
In John 8:58 Jesus clearly communicates his existence before Abraham as God. This is a very important verse because it is one of the verses we use to prove that Jesus is God. Here Jesus is attributing the divine name of God from Exodus 3:14 to Himself. The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for claiming to be God.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are the first ant-Trinitarians who deny that John 8:58 expresses the eternal existence of Jesus Christ. The WTS claims that Jesus was claiming His non eternal existence. He was claiming his pre-existence of Abraham as a lesser god or having pre-existed as an angel, but not eternal as God. If this claim was the reason that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, then the Jews would have reacted earlier in Chapter 8 to his claim instead of waiting till after vs. 58. Please note the verses below where Jesus claimed heavenly pre-existence prior to John 8:58.
The Jews believed that God and the angels pre-existed Abraham and believed that angels could take human form. If Jesus claimed to be an angel the Jews would not have tried to stone Him. Then why did they want to stone Jesus? The only logical explanation why the Jews wanted to stone Jesus was because He was claiming to be God. If we were to follow the WTS interpretation of vs. 58 as Jesus’ claim to non eternal pre-existence, and that this claim to heavenly origin was the reason the Jews wanted to stone him then please note vs. 18, 23, 38, and 42. In these verses Jesus is claiming to have a heavenly pre-existence. Any of these verses would have been suffice to ignite the fury of the Jews against Jesus if they were mad at Him for claiming heavenly origin. They would not have waited till vs. 58 to attempt to kill Jesus. Obviously something that was said in verse 58 ignited the powder keg and threw the Jews into a homicidal frenzy. It was because Jesus was claiming God’s name for Himself and by so claiming to be God Himself “I am.” This is something that would cause the Jews to accuse Jesus of blasphemy.
John 8:12. 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.
John 8:18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
John 8:19. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
John 8:23. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 8:26. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him
John8:28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
John 8:29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
John 8:38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
John 8:40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 8:42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
John 8:54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Blasphemy was a serious crime and commanded capital punishment. Claiming to have a temporal existence does not constitute blasphemy. From John 8:58 to John 10 30-33 there is no mention of stoning Jesus for anything he said. It is in John 10:30 where Jesus states that He and The Father are One. Note that this time the Jews give the reason why they wanted to stone Jesus. They state that Jesus was claiming to be God. For this reason they were going to stone Jesus. Now what could have given the Jews the idea that Jesus was claiming to be God in John 8:58 or 10:30? Could it be that he said “Before Abraham was, I am?” Or “I and the Father are One.” Since Jesus was being accused both times of blasphemy, it would be logical to conclude that Jesus was making a very serious claim. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus would not agree with any lie. Please note that if Jesus was not claiming to be God, then in John 10:30 or 8:58 Jesus would of logically have corrected the Jews and told them that He was not claiming the Name of God as His own. . Note that in John 10:30 he does not refute the Jews for accusing Him of blasphemy by His claim to be God. If he did not answer to the Jewish accusation of blasphemy by stating that he was not God then Jesus was in agreement with them when they stated, “For good works we stone thee not but for blasphemy; and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”
John 10:30. I and my Father are one.
John 10: 31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
John 10: 32. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
John 10:33. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Judas came accompainied by a band of men to arrest Jesus. Before anyone could speak Jesus asked them, “Who do you seek? When they answered Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus said to them, “I am he.” {ego eimi} The key point in these verses that relates to this topic is the reaction of the guards in vs. 6 Note that as soon as Jesus said “I am he” {ego eimi} the guards went backwards and fell to the ground. The guards understood the significance of Jesus’s statement and reacted accordingly, they were surprised and intimidated and it seems that they would rather flee from Jesus than arrest Him. It could have been the majesty of His looks, the power of His words or a combination of both, that caused the guards to fall to the ground.
John 18: 4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Isaiah 40-55
It was no mistake that Jesus spoke a pattern of statements that reflected themes that are unique to God by using “I am”. The large number of statements made by Jesus using “I Am” found in John match the sayings of Jehovah found in Isaiah 40-55. Isaiah 40-55 identifies God and John identifies Jesus. Just saying “I am” gives little credibility to Jesus’ claim to be God, but the pattern that He uses that matches Isaiah paints an irrefutable picture that proves His deity. The readers of John may miss the hidden meaning of Jesus’ words. “I am” is “deity loaded” when ever used by Jesus. By the same words Jesus claims to be the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, identifies Himself on the lake, as the door, the good Shepard, the resurrection , the way, the truth, and the life. Just for a moment if we were to substitute “I am God the___ {insert any adjective used in the Old Testament} for the ego eimi translated to “I am” in John we get a richer picture and a clearer understanding of Jesus’ statements. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am God _____.”
John 1:1-5 reflects Isaiah 44:24
In Isa.44:24 God states that He alone created the heavens and the earth. In John chapter one John writes that Jesus alone created all things and that there is nothing that was made that was not made by Jesus. Creation is attributed to God in Isa. and to Jesus in John.
Isa.44:24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2. The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 4:23- 26 reflects Isa. 52:6
Note in Isa. 52:6 Jehovah says “in that day.” “That day” is fulfilled in John 4:23-26 when Jesus spoke of the day that “now is” when true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth. First we see that Jesus claims to be the messiah of whom the woman speaks to Him about. Second Jesus fulfills Jehovah’s promise that His name shall be known, and that it will be Jehovah that speaks.
Isa. 52:6. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
John4: 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
John 4:26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
John 6:20 reflects Isa. 41:10-13
In Isaiah 41:10-13 Jehovah states not to fear Him because He is the savior. Jesus reflects the same in John 6:20 when Jesus tells the apostles not to be afraid of Him when He came to them walking on the water. They thought Jesus was a ghost. Jesus said. “But he saith unto them, It is I {ego eimi [God]}; be not afraid.”
Isa41:10. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:11. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Isa 41:12. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Isa 41:13. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
John 6:20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
John 8:58 Reflects Exodus 3:14 And Ps. 90:2
John 8:58 contrasts the created with the eternal in exactly the same style as Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” The comparable nature of the two verses is so unmistakable, that the Jews wanted to stone Jesus.
In Exodus “I am” explains one of the names that Jehovah would be known by and signifies that He is unchangeable, self existent, eternal, faithful, and true to His promises. Psalm 90 is entitled ‘a prayer of Moses.’ Moses gave God the glory of his eternity and self existence. Jesus echoes these two verses when He states His eternal existence before Abraham.
Exodus 3: 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of
Ps. 90:2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 10:9-15 echoes Isaiah 40:11
In Isaiah 40:11 Jehovah is called a shepherd. There are many references to God as a shepherd in the Old Testament. Ps 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.. Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock; Thou who art enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! Psalm 78:52 But He led forth His own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. Jesus in John 10 reflects the same theme as Jehovah by stating that He is also the Good Shepherd.
Isa. 40:11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
John 10:9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10: 11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:12. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:13. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 18:37 reflects Isaiah 43:15
In Isaiah Jehovah states that He is Lord, Holy One, Creator, and King. In the New Testament Jesus is ascribed with all four of these attributes.
Isa. 43:15. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of
John 18:37. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered; Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 20:27-28 Luke 24:39
Both verses depict the same event. But note in John Jesus says “that it is I {ego eimi}” and John answers the question as to who the “ego eimi “is.
John 20:27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20: 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Luke 24:39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luke 24:39 Idete tas cheiras mou kai touspodas mou hoti ego eimi autos, pselafesate me kaiidete, hoti pneuma sarka kai ostea ouk echei kathos emetheoreite echonta."
The WTS is opposed to translating {ego eimi} to “I am” and translates it to “I have been” or “I was in existence.” They try to break the connection between “I am” in John 8:58 and “I am” in Exodus 3:14. If the WTS is to remain true to its translation of John 8:58 than why does it translate “ego eimi” twenty five times as “I am” and only once as “I have been” in the Gospel of John?
Below is twenty six times where “ego eimi” is translated as “I am.”
| Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. |
| Joh 4:26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. |
| Joh 6:20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. |
| Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comth to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. |
| Joh 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which ca me down from heaven. |
| Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life. |
| Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which ca me down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. |
| Joh 8:12 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. |
| Joh 8:18 I am one that bear witness of my self, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. |
| Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. |
| Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. |
| Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. |
| Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. |
| Joh 9:9 So me said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. |
| Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. |
| Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. |
| Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. |
| Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. |
| Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: |
| Joh 13:19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. |
| Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. |
| Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. |
| Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. |
| Joh 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. |
| Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. |
| Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: |
Now if the WTS is to stand true and consistent to its translation of John
8:58; then the above twenty-six verses in John should have been translated as follows. Notice how ridiculous the use of this translation is.
| Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said, I have been not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. |
| Joh 4:26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee I have been he. |
| Joh 6:20. But he saith unto them, It is I have been; be not afraid. |
| Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I have been the bread of life: he that comth to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. |
| Joh 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I have been the bread which ca me down from heaven. |
| Joh 6:48 I have been that bread of life. |
| Joh 6:51 I have been the living bread which ca me down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. |
| Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I have been the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. |
| Joh 8:18 I have been one that bear witness of my self, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. |
| Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I have been from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. |
| Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I have been he, ye shall die in your sins. |
| Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I have been he and that I do nothing of my self; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. |
| Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I have been. |
| Joh 9:9 So me said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I have been he. |
| Joh 10:7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I have been the door of the sheep. |
| Joh 10:9 I have been the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. |
| Joh 10:11 I have been the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. |
| Joh 10:14 I have been the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. |
| Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I have been the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: |
| Joh 13:19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I have been he. |
| Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I have been the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. |
| Joh 15:1 I have been the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. |
| Joh 15:5 I have been the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. |
| Joh 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I have been he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. |
| Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I have been he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. |
| Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I have been he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: |
Below are the Greek translation for I “ego” and its meaning and where it is found in the Bible.
New Testament Greek Lexicon
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Below is the Greek translation for am “eimi”, its meaning and where it is found in the Bible.
The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon
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There is no scripture in the Bible where it states the Jesus is a creation of God, Michael, or having any point of origination. If Jesus said that “Before Abraham was born, I have been,” it would be proof denying the existence of the Trinity. In its never ending attempt to disprove the Trinity and the deity of Jesus Christ the WTS translated “ego eimi” to “I have been” so when a Jehovah’s Witness reads the NTW he or she will conclude its meaning to be: “I came into existence.” Remember John 17:3 “ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” By refuting Jesus’ deity the WTS denies the Witnesses the opportunity to know Jehovah and Jesus Christ.
Sources for the Greek translation: Elis Ultra Bible, Crosswalk.com, Thayer’s
and Smith’s Bible dictionary, and Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
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