John 8:39-59 - The Priority Of Jesus Over Abraham

³⁹ "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you are indeed Abraham's children," said Jesus "do the deeds of Abraham. ⁴⁰ "But now you are seeking to kill me?? man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do that. ⁴¹ "You are doing the deeds of your father." "We were not born of adultery," they said; "we have one Father, God."

⁴² Jesus said to them. "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and am now come from God. I did not come on my own authority, but God himself sent me. ⁴³ "How is it that you do not understand what I say? It is because you cannot listen to my message. ⁴⁴ "You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a man-slayer from the very beginning; and he has no standing place in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he utters a lie, he speaks from his nature, for he is a liar and the father of lying. ⁴⁵ "But as for me, it is because I speak the truth to you that you do not believe me. ⁴⁶ "Which one of you convicts me of sin? Why then, if I am speaking the truth, do you not believe me? ⁴⁷ "He who is from God listens to God's words. For this reason you do not listen, because you are not from God."

⁴⁸ In reply the Jews said to him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan, and you also have a demon?"

⁴⁹ "I do not have a demon," said Jesus, "but I am honoring my Father, and you are dishonoring me. ⁵⁰ "Yet I am not seeking my own honor. There is One who is seeking it, and He is judge. ⁵¹ "In solemn truth I tell you that if any one obeys my teaching he shall never behold death."

⁵² "Now we know that you have a demon," exclaimed the Jews. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; and yet you say, 'If any man obeys my teaching he shall never taste death.' ⁵³ "You are not greater than our father Abraham, are you? And he died, and the prophets died. Who are you making yourself out to be?"

⁵⁴ "If I glorify myself." said Jesus, "my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifies me, and you say, 'He is our God.' ⁵⁵ "You are not acquainted with him; I know him. Were I to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I obey his teaching. ⁵⁶ "Your father Abraham rejoiced that he should see my day; and he saw it and was glad."

⁵⁷ "You are not yet fifty years old," said the Jews to him, "and you have seen Abraham?"

⁵⁸ "In solemn truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "that before Abraham came into existence, I am."

⁵⁹ Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.