John 8:28-59
28So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.29And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”30Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
John 8:28 Greek When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
Jesus and Abraham
31Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.36So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.37Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.38I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”
39“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.40Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.41No, you are imitating your real father.”
John 8:39 Some manuscripts read if you are really the children of Abraham, follow his example.
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.43Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!44For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.45So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!46Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?47Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
48The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
49“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me.50And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.51I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
52The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’55but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him.56Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
John 8:54 Some manuscripts read You say he is your God.
57The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
John 8:57 Some manuscripts read How can you say Abraham has seen you?
58Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!”59At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
John 8:58 Or before Abraham was even born, I have always been alive; Greek reads before Abraham was, I am. See Exod 3:14.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
New Living, NLT, and the New Living Translation logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers. www.tyndale.com
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