Before Abraham Was: Jesus Reveals Who He Is (John 8:21-59)
As Jesus continued teaching in the temple, the tension between Him and the religious leaders kept growing. In one powerful conversation, He made bold claims about who He was—and it left the people shocked, angry, and divided.
This part of His life shows us how clearly Jesus spoke about His identity, even when it caused conflict. Let’s walk through what happened and what it means for us today.
A Serious Warning About Unbelief
Jesus began by telling the people something difficult to hear:
“If you do not believe in Me, you will die in your sins.”
That’s a strong warning. But it wasn’t said to scare people—it was a call to wake up. Jesus wanted them to understand that without Him, there is no real hope.
The people didn’t understand what He meant. They asked where He was going. Jesus explained that He came from above—from God—but they were thinking only about earthly things. Still, some people listening began to believe in Him as He spoke more about His connection to God the Father.
Real Freedom Comes Through Jesus
Then Jesus turned to those who had started believing and said:
“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The crowd didn’t like that. They said they were already free because they were descendants of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. But Jesus explained that being physically related to Abraham wasn’t enough.
He told them that sin makes people slaves. Only He—the Son—could truly set them free.
Who Are You Really Following?
The people insisted they were children of Abraham, but Jesus pointed to their actions:
“You’re trying to kill Me. Abraham didn’t do that.”
He made a clear point: If they were truly following Abraham’s example or truly connected to God, they would love and listen to Jesus. Instead, they were rejecting Him.
Jesus went even further. He said they were acting like children of the devil—not because of their family line, but because of their choices, lies, and hatred. That deeply offended the crowd, and they started accusing Him of being crazy or possessed.
“Before Abraham Was, I Am”
Jesus didn’t back down. He spoke about His relationship with the Father, His mission, and His authority. He even said:
“If anyone keeps My word, they will never see death.”
Now the people were furious. They reminded Jesus that even Abraham and the prophets had died. How could He claim something greater?
Then Jesus said the most shocking thing of all:
“Before Abraham was born, I am.”
This wasn’t just a strange way to speak. It was a clear reference to the name God used for Himself when He spoke to Moses—“I AM.” By saying this, Jesus was claiming to be eternal, divine, and one with God.
The people knew exactly what He meant. They picked up stones to kill Him for what they thought was blasphemy. But Jesus slipped away.
What Does This Mean for Us?
This moment forces every person to ask a question: Who do I believe Jesus is?
He didn’t just claim to be a good teacher or a prophet. He claimed to be God Himself. That’s why the crowd reacted so strongly. And it’s why His words still matter today.
Jesus offers forgiveness, truth, and eternal life—but we have to believe in Him to receive it. The people who argued with Him that day were holding onto pride, tradition, and their own ideas. But Jesus was offering something far better: Himself.
If you’ve never made up your mind about who Jesus is, this passage invites you to take a closer look. He’s not afraid to speak the truth, and He never hides who He is. He simply asks:
Will you believe?
John 8:21-59 (WEB)
8:21 Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”22 The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”23 He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”25 They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However, he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”27 They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. 28 Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. 29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”30 As he spoke these things, many believed in him. 31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”34 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. 35 A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 36 If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 38 I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”39 They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. 41 You do the works of your father.”They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”42 Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”48 Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”49 Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. 51 Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”52 Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. 55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.”57 The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?”58 Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”59 Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.