John 8:53
New International Version
Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

New Living Translation
Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

English Standard Version
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Berean Standard Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”

Berean Literal Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Whom do You make yourself?"

King James Bible
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

New King James Version
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

New American Standard Bible
You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?

NASB 1995
“Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”

NASB 1977
“Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?

Legacy Standard Bible
Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”

Amplified Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too! Whom do You make Yourself out to be?”

Christian Standard Bible
Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? Even the prophets died. Who do You pretend to be?”

American Standard Version
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?

Contemporary English Version
Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

English Revised Version
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets have also died. Who do you think you are?"

Good News Translation
Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?"

International Standard Version
You aren't greater than our father Abraham, who died, are you? The prophets also died. Who are you making yourself out to be?"

Majority Standard Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”

NET Bible
You aren't greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?"

New Heart English Bible
Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Weymouth New Testament
Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"

World English Bible
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died; whom do You make Yourself?”

Berean Literal Bible
Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Whom do You make yourself?"

Young's Literal Translation
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died; whom dost thou make thyself?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou art not greater than our father Abraham, who died; and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. So who do you make yourself to be?”

New American Bible
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?”

New Revised Standard Version
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why, are you greater than our father Abraham who died, and the prophets who died? Whom do you make yourself?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Are you greater than our father Abraham who died and The Prophets who have died? Who are you making yourself?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom do you make yourself?

Godbey New Testament
Whether art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom do you make yourself?

Haweis New Testament
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Mace New Testament
are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? the prophets likewise are dead: pray, what do you then pretend to be?

Weymouth New Testament
Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"

Worrell New Testament
Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died? Whom makest Thou Thyself?"

Worsley New Testament
and the prophets are dead: whom dost thou pretend to be?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Before Abraham was Born, I Am
52“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death. 53Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?” 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.’…

Cross References
John 8:52
“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.

John 7:52
“Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.”

John 5:45-47
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. / If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. / But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Romans 4:1-3
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has discovered? / If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. / For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 9:4-5
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Hebrews 3:3-6
For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. / And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. / Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. ...

Hebrews 11:8-19
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ...

Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:1-6
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” / But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” ...

Genesis 17:4-5
“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. / No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Genesis 18:18
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.


Treasury of Scripture

Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?

thou greater.

John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 4:12
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

John 10:29,30
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand…

whom.

John 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 10:33
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

John 19:7
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

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John 8
1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.
12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;
31. promises freedom to those who believe;
33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;
48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;
59. and slips away from those who would stone him.














Are You greater
This phrase challenges Jesus' authority and identity. The Greek word for "greater" is "μείζων" (meizōn), which implies superiority in rank or quality. The question posed by the Jewish leaders reflects their struggle to comprehend Jesus' divine nature. Historically, this reflects the Jewish reverence for patriarchs and prophets, who were seen as the ultimate spiritual authorities. The question is rhetorical, expecting a negative answer, yet it opens the door for Jesus to reveal His divine nature.

than our father Abraham?
Abraham is a central figure in Jewish history, regarded as the patriarch of the Israelites. The term "father" signifies not only biological ancestry but also spiritual heritage. In the Jewish tradition, Abraham is revered for his faith and obedience to God. The question implies that no one could surpass Abraham's significance. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His pre-existence and eternal nature, which transcends even the revered patriarch.

He died, as did the prophets
This statement acknowledges the mortality of Abraham and the prophets, who, despite their significant roles, succumbed to death. The Greek word for "died" is "ἀπέθανεν" (apethanen), emphasizing the finality of physical death. The prophets, like Abraham, were esteemed for their roles as God's messengers. This highlights the human limitation and mortality that Jesus is about to contrast with His promise of eternal life.

yet You say
This phrase introduces a contrast between the accepted reality of death and Jesus' radical claim. The Greek word "λέγεις" (legeis) indicates a present, active declaration. The Jewish leaders are incredulous that Jesus would make such a bold statement, challenging their understanding of life and death. This sets the stage for Jesus to assert His authority and the transformative power of His word.

that whoever obeys Your word
The phrase "obeys Your word" is crucial, as it emphasizes the importance of adherence to Jesus' teachings. The Greek word for "obeys" is "τηρήσῃ" (tērēsē), which means to keep, guard, or observe. This implies a continuous, active engagement with Jesus' teachings. The "word" (λόγον, logon) refers to the divine message and truth that Jesus embodies. This highlights the transformative power of Jesus' teachings, which offer a path to eternal life.

will never taste death
This promise is profound, offering hope beyond physical death. The Greek phrase "οὐ μὴ γεύσηται θανάτου" (ou mē geusētai thanatou) uses a double negative for emphasis, indicating absolute certainty. "Taste" (γεύσηται, geusētai) suggests experiencing or partaking in something. Jesus is promising that those who follow Him will not experience the spiritual death that separates one from God. This assurance of eternal life is central to Christian faith, offering hope and purpose beyond the temporal existence.

(53) Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?--The question is exactly the same, with the substitution of "Abraham" for "Jacob," as that asked by the Samaritan woman in John 4:12 (see Note). "Surely thou art not greater than our father Abraham, who indeed died?"

Whom makest thou thyself?--"If Abraham, who received God's covenant, himself died, and if the prophets, who uttered the oracles of God, themselves died, what kind of person dost Thou assert Thyself to be that Thy word shall deliver men from death?" The same phrase occurs again in John 5:18; John 10:33; John 19:7.

Verse 53. - Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? This use of ποιεῖν is not uncommon. "By thy own statements, whom wouldst thou have us believe that thou art?" (cf. John 5:18; John 10:33; John 19:7, 12). This claim to be Giver of immunity from death, and the further assumption that the belief of and continuance in his word would metamorphose and transfigure death itself, implied functions which "made" Jesus mightier, more august, than either Moses or Elijah, Abraham or the prophets, who were dead. "These all died who art thou?"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Are
εἶ (ei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

You
σὺ (sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

greater than
μείζων (meizōn)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

father
πατρὸς (patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

Abraham?
Ἀβραάμ (Abraam)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 11: Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.

[He]
ὅστις (hostis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

died,
ἀπέθανεν (apethanen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

[as did]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prophets.
προφῆται (prophētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

Who
τίνα (tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do You claim to be?”
ποιεῖς (poieis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.


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