Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
CHAPTER EIGHT:
“TRUTH’S FREEDOM AND DEVILISH SLAVERY”
[“Truth Liberates”]
Key Word: Fatherhood
John 8:1-11 – The Adulterous Woman
[[JN8:1]]
[[| 452 | The Adulterous Woman: Verses 1-11 are “now recognized as not adequately supported by original manuscripts.” The Jews
were forbidden by the Romans to execute by stoning. Though the story is often quoted and is well known, and though many versions include the story, it is absent from Codex Sinaiticus of the 4th century, the Vatican 1209 of the 4th century,
and Sinaitic Syriac codex of the 4th century. |
JN8:2]] [[JN8:3]] [[JN8:4]] [[JN8:5]]
[[JN8:6]] [[JN8:7]] [[JN8:8]] [[JN8:9]] [[JN8:10]] [[JN8:11]]
John 8:12-20 – “I Am The Light of the World”
JN8:12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to the [Jews], saying:
“I am the Light of the world!
The person who continues to follow me will never walk about in the Darkness,
but will have the Light of the Life.”
| 453 | I am the Light of the world: Compare notes on John 1:5 and John 12:35. [Isaiah 9:2; 49:6; Matthew 4:16] |
| 454 | The person who continues to follow me will never walk about in the Darkness: Or, NEB: no follower of mine shall wander in the dark. Compare
notes on John 12:46 and 1 John 2:8 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. |
| 455 | Will have the Light of the Life: Or,
PME: will live his life in the light; TAY: living light will flood your path. Compare John 1:5. |
JN8:13 The Pharisees said to Jesus: “You are testifying about yourself!
Your testimony is not true!”
| 456 | You are testifying about yourself: Or, BER: your testimony is not valid. |
JN8:14 Jesus
responded and said to them:
“When I testify about myself my testimony is genuine,
because I know from where I came and to where I am departing.
You [Pharisees] do not know from where I came,
or to where I am departing.
| 457 | My testimony is genuine: Or, true, real, valid. [John 5:31] |
| 458 | I know from where I came and to where I am departing: Or, where I am going. Jesus begins to use more language that suggests his pre-existence. |
| 459 | You [Pharisees] do not know from where I came: The Jews knew Jesus had come from Bethlehem [or, Nazareth] as the supposed son of Joseph, as expressed earlier. This would have been true had Jesus not had a pre-existence, but the Jews were unaware of this, or refused to acknowledge it. [John 7:28; 13:3; 16:28] |
JN8:15 You all make fleshly judgments.
I am not judging anyone.
| 460 | You all make fleshly judgments: Or, KJV: judge after the flesh; NEB: you judge by worldly standards; BEC: in a human way. Compare
John 7:24. [1 Samuel 16:7] |
| 461 | I am not judging anyone: Compare John 3:17 and John 12:47. [Luke 12:14] God has
committed the judging to the Son in the Day of Judgment. [John 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28; 4:17] |
JN8:16 And whenever I do judge my judgment is genuine
because I am not alone. Rather, [there are] myself and the Father who sent me.
| 462 | Whenever I do judge my judgment is genuine: Or, true, trustworthy. Possibly an echo of Isaiah 11:3-5. |
| 463 | There are myself and the Father who sent me: Or, KJV: but I and the Father who sent me; TCN: but the Father who sent me is with me; RIE:
I and He that sent me judge together. Some mss omit “Father.” |
JN8:17 Also, in the Law of you [Pharisees] it has been written:
‘The testimony of two persons is true.’
[Deuteronomy 19:15]
| 464 | The testimony of two persons is true: Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 19:15. This verse in the Law actually says, “two or three persons.”
The Nazarene has a perfect opportunity to declare a triune godhead by quoting, “The testimony of three persons is true.” [Note Paul’s use of the word “three” at 2 Corinthians 13:1.] However, he only includes two persons, as the
holy Pneuma is not a person. [Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16] |
JN8:18 I am one
testifying about myself, and also the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
| 465 | I am one: Jesus only includes “two persons” – himself and his Father. He could have easily said: “‘The
testimony of three persons is true.’ I am one, the Father is another, as well as the Holy Ghost.” The absence here of any reference to the holy spirit is very revealing, and had Jesus been a Trinitarian, he missed a great opportunity. Compare notes
on Matthew 11:27 in Nazarene Commentary 2000© Error of the Trinity. |
JN8:19 Therefore, the [Pharisees] said to Jesus: “Where is your father?”
Jesus answered:
“You [Pharisees] have known neither me nor my Father.
If you had known me, it is quite likely you would have also known my Father.”
| 466 | Where is your father: It is likely they knew Joseph had already died. |
| 467 | Me nor my Father: He again omits the Holy Spirit. |
JN8:20 These Sayings Jesus spoke in the treasury while teaching in the Temple area. No one got hold of him, because his hour had not yet arrived.
John 8:21-30 – “I Am from Above”
JN8:21 Therefore, Jesus again said to them:
“I am departing from below and you [Jews] will search for me,
and yet you will all die in your sins. Where I am departing to you cannot follow.”
| 468 | I am departing from below: Or, I go my way. The Greek is EGO HYPAGO [“I am going under”]. |
| 469 | Where I am departing to: That is, heaven and God’s presence. |
JN8:22 So,
the Jews said: “Will he not kill himself,
because he is saying, ‘Where I am departing to you are unable to follow’?”
| 470 | Kill himself: Or, suicide. |
JN8:23 Jesus said to them:
“You [Jews] are from the realms below. I am from the realms
above. You originate from this world. I did not originate from this world.
| 471 | You [Jews] are from the realms below: Or, you are from below. Compare RHM. Had Jesus merely had a human birth, and first came into
existence then, he would have also been “from the realms below.” |
| 472 | I am from the realms above:
Or, I am from above. Compare RHM. Jesus alludes to his former heavenly pre-existence. Compare notes on John 17:5. |
| 473 |
You originate from this world: Or, of [from] this world. Had Jesus first existed at his human birth he would also have originated from this world. |
| 474 | I did not originate from this world: Or, KJV: I am not of this world. Jesus origin did not first take lace by a human birth into this world. He had a pre-existence. See notes on John 17:5. The Nazarene may echo Mica 5:1,
2 regarding his “origin.” See notes on Micah 5:2 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. [Proverbs 8:22; John 1:1] |
JN8:24 So I said to you [Jews], ‘You
will die in your sins.’ For if you do not believe that I am him, you will die in your sins.”
| 475 | If you do not believe that I am him: Or, I am he. For notes on the Greek EGO EIMI see John 8:58. |
JN8:25 Therefore, the [Jews] asked him: “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them:
“Why did I even begin speaking to you?
| 476 | Who are you: Or, who do you claim to be? Jesus asked a similar question of his own disciples at Matthew 16:15. Jesus has a clear opportunity to declare that he is God, or part of a triune godhead. |
JN8:26 There are many things I have to say and judge about you [Jews]. However, the One who sent me is real, and what I have heard
alongside Him
[Proverbs 8:30 LXX] these things I am speaking to the world.”
| 477 | Many things I have to say and judge about you: Or, TCN: I have still much that concerns you to speak of and to pass judgment on; KNX: many judgments I could pass on you. |
| 478 | The One who sent me is real: Or, true, faithful, truthful, reliable. |
| 479 | What I have heard ‘alongside Him’: Or, beside him. Jesus alludes to his pre-existence with God. [John 17:5] Compare the wording in Proverbs 8:30 where the exact phrase occurs – PAR AUTO. It is possible Jesus echoes or alludes to this created Sophia [the Word] and thus his own pre-existence. See also John 17:5. |
JN8:27 The Jews did not understand what he was saying about the Father.
JN8:28 Therefore, Jesus said:
“Whenever you [Jews] lift up the
Son of Humankind
[Daniel 7:13] it is then you will understand that I am him, and that
from my own self I am doing nothing. Rather, just as the Father taught me, these words I continue to speak.
| 480 | Lift up the ‘Son of Humankind’: Or, execute on a pole, stake. Compare notes on John 3:14. [John 12:32] |
| 481 | I am him: That is, the Son of Humankind of Daniel 7:13. See notes on John 8:58. |
| 482 | From my own self I am doing nothing: Or, KJV: I do nothing of myself; NEB: nothing of my own authority. See notes on John 5:19ff. |
| 483 | Just as the Father taught me: The Son cannot be equal to the Father if he can be taught by Him. |
JN8:29 And the One that sent me is with me. He will not leave me alone, because I am always doing the things pleasing to Him.”
| 484 | I am always doing the things pleasing to Him: Or, NEB: for I always do what is acceptable to him. [John 4:34; 14:10] |
JN8:30 Many persons believed in Jesus as he was speaking these words.
John 8:31-41 – “Truth Will Set You Free”
JN8:31 As a result, Jesus spoke toward those Jews who had believed in him:
“As long as you remain in my Word you are my genuine disciples.
| 485 | As long as you remain in my Word you are my genuine disciples: Or, continue, abide, live in, faithful to, adhere to, dwell within;
really, truly. One cannot be a true disciple of the Nazarene without dwelling continually on his teachings. [John 5:38; 15:7] |
JN8:32 Also you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you [Jews] free.”
| 486 | You will know the Truth: Or, TCN: find out the truth; BAS: have knowledge of what is true; MOF: understand the truth. [John 17:17]
The “truth” would include the whole body of Jesus’ teachings as found in the Gospels. |
| 487 | The Truth
will set you [Jews] free: Jesus is speaking directly to Jews who are enslaved to those sins under the Law of Moses. Compare Galatians 5:1. [Luke 4:18; Romans 6:14, 22; Hebrews 2:15; James 1:25] This “freedom” is not absolute – that is
free to believe and do anything – for the disciple of Christ is also his slave and must obey him. Research the word slave in Paul’s epistles. |
JN8:33 [Some Jews] responded
toward Jesus: “We are Abraham’s Seed and we have never been slaves to anyone!
How can you say, ‘You [Jews] will become free?’”
| 488 | We have never been slaves to anyone: This is not true, for the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt, and the Jews were captives in Babylon. |
JN8:34 Jesus answered them:
“I tell you this truth: Everyone who sins is a slave of that sin.
| 489 | Everyone who sins is a slave of that sin: Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© regarding Romans 6:6, 16; 7:14. |
JN8:35 But, the slave does not remain in the house endlessly. The son remains endlessly.
| 490 | The slave does not remain in the house endlessly: Or, always, forever. Under Mosaic Law slaves were released upon the Jubilee, unless
they chose to remain a slave always. |
JN8:36 Therefore, whenever the Son sets you [Jews] free, you will be truly free.
| 491 | You will be truly free: Or, essentially, unquestionably. |
JN8:37 I realize you [Jews] are Abraham’s Seed. However, you are seeking to kill me, because my Word is finding no place in you.
| 492 | My Word is finding no place in you: Or, no free course, no progress, no ground, no headway, no room. |
JN8:38 I am speaking those things I have experienced
alongside the Father.
[Proverbs 8:30] So then, you also continue to do those things you heard [which came from]
alongside the Father.”
| 493 | I have experienced ‘alongside the Father’: Or, seen. On the phrase ‘alongside the Father’ see the notes on
John 8:26. [Proverbs 8:22-30 strongly suggests a created son begotten alongside the Father. |
| 494 | Alongside the Father:
See notes above. |
JN8:39 The [Jews] responded and said to Jesus: “Our father is Abraham!” Jesus told them:
“If you are the children of Abraham, continue to do the works of Abraham.
| 495 | Continue to do the works of Abraham: That is, exercise faith in the Seed of Promise. |
JN8:40 But now you are seeking to kill me, a person who has spoken to you the Truth that I heard alongside of The God. Abraham never did this.
| 496 | Alongside of The God: See notes above. |
| 497 | Abraham never did this: Abraham obeyed and related what he had heard from God. |
JN8:41 You [Jews] continue to do the works
of your father.”
They said to Jesus: “We were not born from prostitution!
We have one Father, The God!” | 498 |
Your father: Jesus is about to introduce another fatherhood. |
| 499 | Prostitution: Or, fornication, not illegitimate,
sexually immoral. See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on the Greek PORNEIA. [Galatians 5:19] |
| 500 | We
have one Father, The God: The Jews understood that “The God” [TON THEON; compare John 1:1] is the Father. |
John 8:42-47 – “The Father of the Lie”
JN8:42 Jesus said to them:
“If your Father was The God you would likely continue to love me.
For I came out from The God and [then] I arrived. Nor did I come from myself, but that One sent me forth.
| 501 | If your Father was The God you would likely continue to love me: Jesus makes it clear he is not “The God.” Those who love the Father, love the Son also. |
| 502 | For I came out from The God and [then] I arrived: God and the Father are the same, and it is from Him that Jesus “came out” and arrived on earth. Compare the notes on John 13:3. |
| 503 | Nor did I come from myself: Or, as a result of my own initiative. Compare notes on John 5:19ff. |
JN8:43 Why do you [Jews] not understand my speech? Because you cannot [bear to] hear my Word.
| 504 | Because you cannot [bear to] hear my Word: Or, bear to listen, unable to listen, cannot comprehend, cannot grasp. |
JN8:44 You [Jews] originated from your father the Devil, and you want to continue to do your father’s desires. [The Devil]
was a man-killer from the beginning, and he did not continue to stand in the Truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the Lie, he speaks from his own self, because he is a liar and the father of [lies].
| 505 | You [Jews] originated from your father the Devil: Or, BEC: your father is the devil. |
| 506 | Your father’s desires: Or, lusts. Particularly murder. [Acts 13:10] |
| 507 | The Devil was a man-killer from the beginning: Or, murderer, manslayer. Compare notes on 1 John 3:8 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. His first victims were Adam and Eve. |
| 508 | He did not continue to stand in the Truth: Or, abide, rooted, stand by. |
| 509 | Speaks the Lie: His first lie was the promise of not dying. [Genesis 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3] This is a lie that continues to perpetuate itself in the doctrine of soul immortality. |
JN8:45 But, because I tell you the Truth you do not believe in me.
JN8:46 Who from among you [Jews] rebukes me regarding any sin? If I tell you the Truth, why do you not believe me?
| 510 | Rebukes me regarding any sin: Or, convicts me, can prove me guilty. [2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John
3:5] |
JN8:47 The person who is from The God, listens to the Sayings of The God. This is why you [Jews] do not listen, because you do not originate from The God.”
John 8:48-59 – Demonism and Pre-existence
JN8:48 The Jews responded and said to Jesus: “We have an excellent saying, ‘You are a Samaritan and are demon-possessed!’”
| 511 | You are a Samaritan and are demon-possessed: Or, have a demon. The proverb, or saying, shows the contempt the Jews had for the Samaritans.
They here charge Jesus with demonism. Compare the danger of this at Matthew 12:24. Compare John 7:20; 10:20. |
JN8:49 Jesus answered:
“I am not demon-possessed! Rather I continue to honor my Father, but you are dishonoring me!
JN8:50 Also, I am not seeking my own glory. [There] is One who examines and judges.
| 512 | There is One who examines and judges: Or, MOF: there is One who cares for my credit, and he is judge. [Romans 3:6] |
JN8:51 I tell you this truth: Whenever anyone observes my Word, that person will not experience death throughout the [New] Age.”
| 513 | Whenever anyone observes my Word: Or, keep, cherishes. Life is condition on obedience. [John 3:16, 35] |
| 514 | Will not experience death throughout the [New] Age: Or, KJV: he will never see death. The Greek is THANATON [death] OU ME [never] THEORESE
[see] EIS [unto] TON [the] AIONA [age]. [John 5:24; 11:26] Jesus does not mean such will not die, but that they will not die after their resurrection throughout the future Ages, or all periods of time. |
JN8:52 The
Jews said to Jesus: “Now we know you are demon-possessed! Abraham, and also all the prophets, died! And yet you are saying, ‘Whenever anyone
observes my Word, they will never taste death during the [New] Age.’
| 515 | Anyone: They are misapplying Jesus’ words, a debating technique. |
| 516 | They will never taste death during the [New] Age: They add the word “taste” for Jesus’ “see.” That is, experience. |
JN8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? Also, the prophets [who] died? Whom are you making yourself out to be?”
| 517 | Whom are you making yourself out to be: Or, who do you claim to be. See the same question at John 8:25. |
JN8:54 Jesus answered:
“If I should ever glorify myself, my self-glorification is worthless! My Father is the One glorifying me, whom you [Jews] claim is that God of yours.
JN8:55 And yet you have never known Him, but I have known Him. If I ever should say that I never knew Him, I would be a liar like you [Jews]. But, I have [personally] known Him, and I continue to observe His Word.
JN8:56 Your father Abraham was over-joyed so that he might see my Day. And he did see it and rejoiced.”
| 518 | So that he might see my Day: Or, BER: the prospect of seeing; NOR: rejoiced at the thought; GDS: seeing my coming. BEC: delighted
to know of my day. |
| 519 | And he did see it and rejoiced: Compare a similar thought at Hebrews 11:13. Likely Jesus
has in mind Abraham’s receiving the promise of a Seed that would bless all families of the earth, and had a foretaste of Jesus’ resurrection in his son Isaac. [Genesis 17:17f] There is another possibility: Jesus is aware that he, as the Angel of
Yahweh, made a visitation to Abraham along with the two angels which later visited Sodom. [Genesis 18:1ff] |
JN8:57 Therefore, the Jews, facing toward him, asked: “You are not yet fifty
years old,
and you have seen Abraham?”
| 520 | You are not yet fifty years old: “Why did they say 50 years when Jesus was only 33 years old? It is noteworthy that the ministers
in the tabernacle ceased to minister at the age of 50. Important matters were left to the elders, thus, it might have been an implication that Jesus was not old enough to counsel them.” (The Complete Biblical Library – 1986)] |
| 521 | You have seen Abraham: They understood Jesus to mean he had seen Abraham. |
JN8:58 Jesus
said to them:
“I tell you this truth: I existed before Abraham came into existence.”
| 522 | I existed before Abraham came into existence: In Greek the later part of this verse reads: PRIN ABRAAM GENESTHAI EGO EIMI. This text
reads in English in the Greek-English Interlinear New Testament as: ‘Before Abraham came into being, I AM.’ We note the “I AM” is capitalized. When we check other translations we note they tend to also capitalize this “I AM.”
We note first that these same translations do not do this in John 8:28 where Jesus also said, “I am.” This has us puzzled at first.
Some have suggested that the “I AM” in verse 58 is a quote from Exodus 3:14 and so he believes with great fervor Jesus is making himself the Yahweh of the Burning Bush account where the Almighty God declares His Name. We turn to some translations
and they do, indeed, have Exodus 3:14 as ‘I am that I AM.’ (KJV) Since some capitalize both “I AM” in John and Exodus it would seem our friend’s idea has some validity on brief examination. How are we to know whether the Nazarene
is lifting the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14 and applying this title to himself in John 8:58? What can this mean?
One could go all the way back to John 8:1 (or, John 8:12 in some versions) and check this dialogue between the Nazarene and the Jewish scribes and Pharisees, but we note the immediate question at hand. Verse 58 begins, ‘Jesus said to them,’ so
he must be responding to a question. Sure enough, we note in the previous verse (57) these godly Jews asked, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ To which Jesus answers in verse 58, ‘Before Abraham existed, I am.’
We discover that the English “am” is similar to the Greek eimi which, according to Bauer, Arndt and Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, page 222, means “as a predicate to be – 1. be, exist.” As in Shakespeare,
“to be or not to be, that is the question.” It would seem to a fair mind that the subject is, “How could you possibly have known Abraham?” To which the Nazarene simply answers, ‘Before Abraham existed, I existed,’ or, ‘I
existed before Abraham existed.’ The pre-existence of Christ is something stressed only in the Gospel of John and it seems that this is what is being done here. It seems a strange way to go about claiming one is the Yahweh, or El’Shad-dai
of Exodus 3:14.
We remember that the Nazarene has already used the whole Greek expression ego eimi in John 8:18, 23, 28 and the Jews did not seem to think Jesus was laying claim to being Yahweh there. We note first John 8:17, 18 where Jesus does quote from Moses (Deuteronomy
19:15) using the rule of ‘the testimony of two men is true.’ When checking out this verse in Moses we note it actually says, ‘two or three’! If Jesus believed in a triune view, or any other concept of “three,” this would
have provided an outstanding Trinitarian opportunity. However, instead of applying “three men” and their testimony, he only makes application of “two” when he goes on to say: ‘I am (ego eimi) the one testifying about myself.’
Now, that makes “one person.” Then Jesus adds, ‘and the One having sent me, the Father, testifies about me.’ That makes, by Jesus’ own addition, “two.” He either misses this opportunity to make some statement about
“three,” as Deuteronomy 19:15 would allow, or he has no such thought about “three.”
Here, in John 8:17, 18, when the Nazarene used “I am” (ego eimi) there was no confusion among the Jews: Jesus was some one other than the Father, who was another. That the Jews understood the Father to be God is shown in John 8:41
and John 8:54. So could not John 8:17, 18 read: “I am the one testifying about myself and God who sent me testifies about me”? Jesus equals “one” and God equals “one” which adds up to “two witnesses” with no mention of a third.
The other occurrence of ego eimi is at John 8:28 where Jesus says, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man then you will know that I am.’ This comes in answer to the question in verse 25, ‘Who are you?’ Is it fair to say the Nazarene’s
answer is, “the Son of Man”? This is an expression from Daniel 7:13 and had always been applied by the Jews to the Messiah or Christ. Here in verses 26-29 Jesus make a clear distinction between himself and The God who sent him, the Father. This
designation from Daniel 7:13 is a true quote or allusion where the Messiah is ascending to the one called “the Ancient of Days.”
Now, it seems to us that Jesus had clear opportunity to identify himself with “three persons” using Deuteronomy 19:15, but he does not. He has another opportunity when he is directly asked about his identity, but here his answer is, “the
Son of Man.”
We are now wondering whether John 8.58 and its ego eimi is a quote or allusion at all. First, we check Nestle-Aland’s Novum Testamentum Graece which faithfully identifies source words or quotes and to our surprise this excellent work does not list Exodus
3:14. We also check the New Jerusalem Bible that we have found to be reliable in its cross-references to quotes and allusions. Even this work does not show Exodus 3:14 as a source of Jesus’ “I am.”
How can we know if the ego eimi in John 8:58 is a quote or strong allusion to Exodus 3.14? We turn to Exodus 3:14, 15 in the Jewish Greek Septuagint. There, in answer to Moses’ question of God at the burning bush, El’Shad-dai reveals to
Moses His sacred name. Rendering this in English at the point of our interest, it reads: ‘And The God spoke to Moses, saying, (= ego eimi ho on; I AM THE BEING, LXX); and He said, Thus shall ye say to the children of Israel, ho On (= The Being)
has sent me to you… This is my name for ever.’ Which part of the whole phrase ego eimi ho On does God take to be His name? Is it not ho On and not ego eimi. Here in Exodus 3:14 ego eimi is emphatic, meaning “I am… somebody.”
Now, we remember that there is something interesting here in the account about the burning bush. The Nazarene alludes to it at Matthew 22:32 (see also Mark 12:18-27 and Luke 20:20-26) where Jesus seems to be referring to someone other than himself when he
mentions, ‘He is The God (not “I am God”), not of the dead, but of the living.’ Additionally, Peter alludes to Exodus 3:14 at Acts 3:13 and he seems to draw a clear distinction between ‘The God of Abraham (= Yahweh)… and
His Servant-boy, Jesus.’
We also remember that the dear apostle John himself in the Apocalypse uses ho On and applies it to someone other than the Lamb. Note Revelation 4:8 and ho On is the “Lord God Almighty” (the El’Shad-dai of Exodus 3:14) who sits upon
the Throne and to whom the Lamb approaches to receive the Little Bible.
We also note in the process of checking the ego eimi of Exodus 3:14 (LXX) that the Greek is slightly different from the ego eimi of John 8:58. In Exodus it is emphatic and in John it is not. Our good Christian friend has stressed the emphatic “I
am” and we note that ego eimi is often used in such cases as “I am the Vine.” Note the emphatic ego eimi Iesous (“I am Jesus”) at Acts 26:15. Or, in the case of the blind man who uses the emphatic “I am…” at
John 9:9. That is, “I am… someone (a blind man).” The Greek ego eimi is not emphatic in John 8:58, though it is in Exodus 3:14.
In John 8:58 there is no suggestion of “I am… someone.” It is simply, “I am.” Though this is difficult to render in English, judging from what has been noted above, if Jesus were quoting Exodus 3:14 (in Greek) he would not have
said ego eimi but rather ho On. If Jesus had respond to the question of the Jews, ‘Before Abraham existed ho On’ a plausible argument might be presented that this is the Nazarene’s quote of Exodus 3:14.
Since it is not, the suggested way to translate this unique case of ego eimi is admitted by A Translator’s Handbook on the Gospel of John (printed by the United Bible Societies): “In many languages it is impossible to preserve the expression I
am in this type of context, for the present tense of the verb ‘to be’ would be meaningless. To make sense, one must say, ‘Before Abraham existed, I existed.’” This being the case we checked other translations: Lamsa: I was;
Moffatt: I have existed before Abraham; Beck: I was before Abraham; Williams: I existed before Abraham was born; New World: before Abraham came into existence, I have been. So, it seems many translators do not render ego eimi as I AM but in harmony with the
context show Jesus’ reply had to do with his confession of pre-existence, not his divinity.
How do some scholars render the I AM of John 8:58? Compare more than a dozen. 1869: “From before Abraham was, I have been.” The New Testament, by G. R. Noyes. 1935: “I existed before Abraham was born!” The Bible-An American Translation,
by J. M. P. Smith and E. J. Goodspeed. 1965: “Before Abraham was born, I was already the one that I am.” Das Neue Testament, by Jörg Zink. 1981: “I was alive before Abraham was born!” The Simple English Bible. Moffatt: “I have
existed before Abraham was born.” Schonfield and An American Translation: “I existed before Abraham was born.” Stage (German): “Before Abraham came to be, I was.” Pfaefflin (German): “Before there was an Abraham, I was already
there!” George M. Lamsa, translating from the Syriac Peshitta, says: “Before Abraham was born, I was.” Dr. James Murdock, also translating from the Syriac Peshitto Version, says: “Before Abraham existed, I was.” The Brazilian Sacred Bible published by the Catholic Bible Center of São Paulo says: “Before Abraham existed, I was existing.”-2nd edition, of 1960, Bíblia Sagrada, Editora “AVE MARIA” Ltda.
Remember, also, that when Jesus spoke to those Jews, he spoke to them in the Hebrew of his day, not in Greek. How Jesus said John 8:58 to the Jews is therefore presented to us in the modern translations by Hebrew scholars who translated the Greek into the
Bible Hebrew, as follows: Dr. Franz Delitzsch: “Before Abraham was, I have been.” Isaac Salkinson and David Ginsburg: “I have been when there had as yet been no Abraham.” In both of these Hebrew translations the translators use for the expression “I have been” two Hebrew words, both a pronoun and a verb, namely, aní hayíthi; they do not use the one Hebrew word: Ehyéh. |
JN8:59 As a consequence, the [Jews] picked up stones in order to throw them at Jesus.
However, Jesus hid and then left the Temple area.| 523 | The [Jews] picked up stones in order to throw them at Jesus: They attempted to stone
Jesus, not because he claimed to be Yehowah, but because he claimed a pre-existence before Abraham as the Son of God. |
Review Questions on Chapter Eight
- What did Jesus claim to be?
- Where did the Son originate?
- How is one set free?
- Who was the father of the Jewish leadership?
- Of what did he Jews accuse Jesus?
- What did Jesus mean by saying, “I am”?
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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