Then the Jews said to Him
This phrase indicates a direct response from the Jewish leaders or people present during Jesus' discourse. The Jews here likely refer to the Pharisees or other religious authorities who were often in opposition to Jesus' teachings. This interaction takes place in Jerusalem, a central location for Jewish religious life, particularly in the temple courts where Jesus often taught. The Jewish leaders were known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, and they frequently challenged Jesus' claims and authority.

“You are not yet fifty years old
The mention of "fifty years old" is significant as it reflects the cultural understanding of age and maturity. In Jewish tradition, fifty years was considered an age of maturity and wisdom, often associated with the ability to teach and lead. The statement underscores their skepticism about Jesus' claim to have seen Abraham, as He was visibly much younger than fifty. This age reference also highlights the incredulity of the Jews regarding Jesus' pre-existence and divine nature.

and You have seen Abraham?”
This question is rooted in the Jewish understanding of their patriarchal heritage. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, lived approximately 2,000 years before Jesus. The Jews revered Abraham as a foundational figure in their faith, and the idea that Jesus, a contemporary figure, could have seen Abraham was beyond their comprehension. This question challenges Jesus' earlier statement in John 8:56, where He claims that Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing His day. The Jews' question reflects their misunderstanding of Jesus' divine nature and eternal existence, which is further clarified in the subsequent verse where Jesus declares, "Before Abraham was born, I am!" This declaration connects to the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, affirming Jesus' identity as the eternal God.

1. The Jews
In this context, "the Jews" refers to the religious leaders and people who were questioning Jesus. They were often skeptical of His claims and teachings.

2. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to the Jews' challenge about His identity and His relationship with Abraham.

3. Abraham
A patriarch of the Jewish faith, Abraham is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his faith and covenant with God. The Jews revered him as their ancestor.

4. Jerusalem
While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the events of John 8 take place in Jerusalem, a central location for Jewish worship and teaching.

5. The Temple
The broader context of John 8 includes Jesus teaching in the temple courts, a place of significant religious activity and debate.Understanding Jesus' Divinity
Jesus' claim to have seen Abraham points to His eternal nature and divinity. This challenges us to recognize and affirm the divine nature of Christ in our faith.

The Importance of Faith
Just as Abraham's faith was foundational to his relationship with God, our faith in Jesus as the eternal Son of God is crucial for our spiritual journey.

Confronting Skepticism
The skepticism of the Jews serves as a reminder that faith often requires us to look beyond human understanding and trust in God's revelation.

The Continuity of God's Plan
Jesus' reference to Abraham highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, encouraging us to see the Bible as a unified account of salvation.

Responding to Jesus' Claims
How we respond to Jesus' claims about Himself is vital. We are called to respond with belief and trust, allowing His identity to transform our lives.(57) Thou art not yet fifty years old.--There is no reason to doubt that we have the correct reading here, though some, from Chrysostom downward, have sought to avoid what seemed to them a difficulty, by substituting "forty" for "fifty." Others, and among them were the "Elders who in Asia conferred with John, the Lord's disciple," have held that our Lord was between forty and fifty years of age at the time of his public ministry. We know this from the testimony of Irenaeus, who appears to have this very passage in his mind, for he says, "As the gospel and all the Elders witness" (Lib. 2 chap. 22 ? 5; Oxford Translation, p. 160). But "fifty years" was the period of full manhood (Numbers 4:3; Numbers 4:39; Numbers 8:24). This is expressed in round numbers, and there is no care to be more exact in comparison with the two thousand years which had passed since the close of Abraham's earthly life. The thought is, "Thou art still a young man, and hast thou seen Abraham who died twenty centuries ago?"

Verse 57. - The Jews, therefore, said unto him - once more misinterpreting his words, and giving a materialistic tone to his Divine hint - Thou hast not yet fifty years - "Thou art not fifty years old" - and hast thou seen Abraham? Christ did not say that be had seen Abraham, but that Abraham had seen and rejoiced in his day. The Jews chose to regard the language of Jesus as adding another immense improbability, if not falsehood, to his previous claims, viz. that he had actually lived to twice the age of Methuselah already. The "fifty years old" may have been simply used in round numbers for the age of man's prime and completed life (Numbers 4:3, 39; Numbers 8:24). There may have been, even if our Lord was only thirty-three years of age at the time of his Passion, that which apparently added to his years. A tradition is mentioned (Irenaeus, 100, 2, 22. 5) of the more advanced age of Jesus which the Ephesian presbyters preserved, and which Irenaeus regards as between the forty-fifth and fiftieth years. Ernest de Bunsen vainly finds a reference to Christ's age (John 2:20) in the forty-six years of the temple; but it is strange that, with the exception of the statement in Luke 3:23, there is nothing in the extraneous chronological data, e.g. the death of Herod and recall of Pontius Pilate, which need positively compress our Lord's life within fifty years (Westcott). And Keim has made the suggestion that our Lord did carry on his ministry for a much longer period than is commonly supposed. It is far more probable, however, that the Jews were using an expression for the term of a completed life, and were supplying no chronological data whatever.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

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.

Jews
Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

said
Εἶπον (Eipon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“You are
ἔχεις (echeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

not yet
οὔπω (oupō)
Adverb
Strong's 3768: Not yet. From ou and po; not yet.

fifty
Πεντήκοντα (Pentēkonta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4004: Fifty. Multiplicative of pente; fifty.

years [old],
ἔτη (etē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

You have seen
ἑώρακας (heōrakas)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

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


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NT Gospels: John 8:57 The Jews therefore said to him You (Jhn Jo Jn)