What is the significance of Jesus saying, “Before Abraham was, I am!” in John 8:58?

Response

In John 8, Jesus makes a couple of His “Truly, truly” statements. In one, He tells a group of people, “Before Abraham was, I am” «Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am. », (John 8:58, ESV). Just before this, those who heard Jesus appear to have a positive reaction to what He has said. However, their response is not sincere and enduring. They take great pride in being Jews—descendants of Abraham.

Jesus challenges their trust in the flesh. They may be physically descended from Abraham, but they do not possess Abraham’s character. They are not his spiritual offspring: “They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did’” (John 8:39-40;ESV).

Then they claim that they are not illegitimate children but assert God as their father «You do the deeds of your father. Then they said to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. », (John 8:41). Perhaps this is intended as a veiled insult towards Jesus—an insult that becomes more direct in verse 48.

The crowd becomes more offended as the conversation continues. Jesus tells them that the devil is their father based on their actions, and they accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed (John 8:42-48). Jesus further states that whoever follows Him will never experience death (verse 51), and the dialogue intensifies:

At this, they exclaimed, “Now we know!”

Now that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died, and so did the prophets. Yet you claim that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” (John 8:52-57).