John 8:56

John 8:56, in plain English

Jesus says Abraham actually rejoiced at the thought of seeing Jesus' day. The father of their faith was looking forward to this very moment.

Why it's here

They thought Abraham was on their side against Jesus. Jesus reveals that Abraham was on His side all along.

Who's speaking

Jesus makes a claim that completely reframes the relationship between Himself and Abraham.

Where it sits in the story

Abraham was not just an ancestor of the faith. He was a witness to Jesus. Across the centuries, he saw what was coming and was filled with joy. The father of their faith was pointing to Jesus the whole time.

The scholarly reading

Jesus makes the stunning claim that Abraham himself ēgalliasato (rejoiced/exulted) to see His day (tēn hēmeran tēn emēn), and having seen it (eiden), was glad, implying Abraham had prophetic knowledge of Christ's coming.

Language and setting

The reference likely points to Abraham's faith response in Genesis 12-22, particularly the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), which prefigured the sacrifice of the Son. Rabbinic tradition also held that Abraham was shown future ages.

Voice

Jesus claims Abraham as His witness, asserting that the patriarch himself looked forward to and rejoiced in Jesus' day.

Significance

Jesus turns the Abraham argument completely around. They invoke Abraham against Jesus; Jesus claims Abraham was His first fan. The patriarch did not just tolerate the idea of Jesus; he rejoiced in it.

54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’

55You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.

56Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”

57Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”

58“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Read all of John 8 — A woman caught in adultery, a claim to be the light of the world, and a statement so audacious the crowd picks up stones: before Abraham was, I am.