John 8:53

John 8:53 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
• New International Version (NIV)Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

Context of John 8:53

51I tell you this: Anyone who obeys my words will never die.’ 52The Jews said, ‘Now we know that a demon lives in you! Abraham and all the prophets died. But you say, “Anyone who obeys my words will never know death!” You cannot be greater than our father Abraham, and he died! You cannot be greater than the prophets, and they all died! Who do you think that you are?’ 54Jesus replied, ‘If I myself wanted people to praise me, that would be worth nothing. But it is my Father who wants that. And you say that he is your God. 55You have never known him, but I know him. I might say, “I do not know him.” But then I would be telling a lie. So I would be like you. But I do know him, and I obey his words.

John 8:53 word by word

μὴ σὺ μείζων εἶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀβραάμ, ὅστις ἀπέθανεν; καὶ οἱ προφῆται ἀπέθανον. τίνα σεαυτὸν ποιεῖς;¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·μήmē · notG3361
• Artεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• greater thanμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
• whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• is deadἀποθνήσκωapothnēskō · to dieG599
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
• whomτίςtis · which?G5101
• makestποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• thyselfσεαυτοῦseautou seautō seauton sautou sautō sauton · yourselfG4572

Cross-references for John 8:53

• John 8:58Jesus said, ‘I tell you this: Before Abraham was even born, “I am”.’
• John 4:12Jacob, our ancestor, gave this well to us. He, his sons and his sheep, goats and cows all drank its water. Are you saying that you are greater than Jacob?’
• John 10:29My Father has given them to me. He is greater than all things. Nobody can ever take my sheep out of my Father's hand.
• John 12:34The crowd said, ‘The Bible tells us that the Messiah will continue for ever. So why do you say, “People must lift up the Son of Man”? Who is this Son of Man?’
• Isaiah 9:6Yes, your people are happy! A child has been born for us. We now have a son with the authority to rule. His names will be: Wonderful Advisor, Mighty God, Father for Ever, Ruler who brings Peace.
• Matthew 12:6But I tell you this. There is someone here now who has greater authority even than the temple.
• Romans 9:5It was their ancestors that God chose to make great many years ago. And Christ himself, as a man, was born to an Israelite family. Christ is God, who rules over all things. We should praise him for ever! This is true! Amen.
• Hebrews 3:2That is what God sent Jesus to do. Jesus did everything that God wanted, just like Moses. Moses served God well when he was the leader of God's people long ago.
• Hebrews 7:1Melchizedek was the king of a city called Salem. He was also a priest of God who rules over all. Melchizedek met Abraham when Abraham was returning from a war. Abraham's men had just won a battle against four kings with their armies. At that time, Melchizedek asked God to bless Abraham.
• John 5:18Because Jesus said this, the Jewish leaders became really angry. They wanted even more to kill him. Jesus not only worked on the day of rest. He was also calling God his own Father, so he was making himself equal with God.
• John 10:33The Jewish leaders answered, ‘We do not want to kill you because of any good things that you have done. We want to kill you because you are speaking against God. You are only a man, but you are saying that you are God.’
• John 19:7The Jews answered, ‘We have a law which says that he must die. He must die because he said, “I am the Son of God.” ’

Commentaries on John 8:53

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 53Whom makest thou thyself? - Or, who dost thou pretend to be? Although the greatest of the prophets have died, yet thou a Nazarene, a Samaritan, and a devil pretendest that thou canst keep thy followers from dying! It would have been scarcely possible to ask a question implying more contempt and scorn.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 48-53Verses 48-53 Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the praises of men can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do not seek their own. In these verses we have the doctrine of the everlasting happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer; he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall by no means see death for ever. Though now they cannot…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 53Who do You claim to be?: This question was hostile and aggressive. However, if Jesus is immortal, ruling over life and death, then he is greater than Abraham, the prophets, or any of the greatest people in Israel’s history (8:58).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 52-5352-53. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil, &c.--"Thou art now self-convicted; only a demoniac could speak so; the most illustrious of our fathers are dead, and Thou promisest exemption from death to anyone who will keep Thy saying! pray, who art Thou?"Read the comment

Topics related to John 8:53

• Jesus Continued
• Self-Righteousness
• Unbelief

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Act
• Conscience
• Continue
• Flesh
• Hear
• Lift
• Treasury
• Children of God

Commentaries on John 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings