“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” – John 8:58
Introduction: A Shocking Declaration of Divinity
Few statements in the New Testament carry the explosive weight of John 8:58. Jesus wasn’t merely making a historical observation—He was making a theological claim that shook the foundations of Jewish understanding. In saying, “Before Abraham was, I am,” He wasn’t just placing Himself in history—He was claiming eternal existence, invoking the very name of God, and declaring Himself to be Yahweh, the eternal “I AM.”
The impact of this statement was so immediate that the religious leaders picked up stones to kill Him. They understood what Jesus was saying—and they considered it blasphemy.
1. The Context: A Heated Debate with the Pharisees
John chapter 8 records a tense interaction between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. The conversation escalates as Jesus challenges their assumptions about heritage, righteousness, and truth.
They claim Abraham as their father, and Jesus challenges that claim by saying, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did” (John 8:39). He exposes their hypocrisy, their unbelief, and their failure to recognize the truth standing before them.
Then comes the climax. Jesus tells them:
“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
They respond, “You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus replies, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!”
2. The Phrase “I Am” – Echoes of Exodus 3:14
To fully understand this statement, we must go back to Exodus 3:14, when God revealed His name to Moses:
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’”
This name—Yahweh—became the covenant name of God for Israel. It signified eternal existence, self-sufficiency, and unchanging nature. No Jew would ever take that name lightly.
By saying, “Before Abraham was, I am,” Jesus doesn’t say “I was” (which would be grammatically correct). Instead, He uses the timeless present tense: “I AM.”
He is not just older than Abraham—He is eternal. He didn’t become God—He always was.
3. Jesus Claims Eternal Preexistence
The phrase “Before Abraham was, I am” emphasizes:
Preexistence: Jesus existed before Abraham, who lived 2,000 years earlier.
Eternality: Jesus didn’t just predate Abraham—He transcends time.
Unchanging Nature: God is not bound by time, and Jesus claims this attribute.
This directly echoes John 1:1–3:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through Him all things were made.”
It also aligns with Colossians 1:17:
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
4. Why the Jews Reacted with Stones
As soon as Jesus said “I AM,” they knew He was claiming to be Yahweh—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was not a metaphor or poetic language. To them, it was a clear and direct claim to deity.
Under Mosaic Law, claiming to be God was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). That’s why they picked up stones. But Jesus was not committing blasphemy—He was revealing truth.
5. Jesus: Not Created, but Creator
This statement destroys the false idea that Jesus became God later, or that He was merely a prophet. When He said “I Am,” He affirmed:
He is not a created being
He is co-eternal with the Father
He is fully God in essence and identity
This matches what Paul said in Philippians 2:6:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage.”
6. Jesus Before Bethlehem
Jesus’ earthly birth in Bethlehem was not His beginning. His incarnation was the moment the eternal Son of God took on human flesh (John 1:14). But He existed long before, sharing in the glory of the Father.
“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” – John 17:5
This is why Jesus could speak of Abraham rejoicing to see His day—because from heaven, Jesus saw it all.
7. How “Before Abraham Was, I Am” Shapes Our Faith
🔹 A. Jesus is Trustworthy
If Jesus is eternal and unchanging, we can trust Him in all things—past, present, and future.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
🔹 B. Jesus is the Center of Scripture
The story of the Bible is not about Abraham, Moses, or David—it’s about Jesus. All of history points to Him. He is the fulfillment of every promise.
🔹 C. Jesus is Worthy of Worship
Only God is worthy of worship—and Jesus, the great “I AM,” receives that worship. His divinity demands our reverence, obedience, and devotion.
8. Personal Reflection: Who Is Jesus to You?
The religious leaders rejected Jesus’ claim—but what about you?
Do you see Jesus as more than a teacher or moral example?
Do you believe He is the eternal, unchanging God?
Have you surrendered to Him as Lord?
The truth is this: either Jesus was lying, deluded, or divine. His words leave no neutral ground.
9. Living with the “I AM” Daily
Knowing that Jesus is the eternal “I AM” changes everything:
In your fear — He says, “I AM your peace.”
In your confusion — He says, “I AM the truth.”
In your loneliness — He says, “I AM with you always.”
In your weakness — He says, “I AM your strength.”
The great “I AM” is not far off—He is near, present, and powerful in your life.
10. Reflection Questions
What does Jesus’ use of “I AM” teach you about His nature?
How does knowing Jesus is eternal influence your daily choices?
What areas of your life do you need to surrender to the great “I AM”?
How can you better reflect His eternal presence in your relationships?
Conclusion: The Eternal Christ
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
In this declaration, Jesus not only places Himself before history—He places Himself above it. He is not bound by time, limited by space, or constrained by human understanding.
He is Yahweh in the flesh.
He is the Alpha and the Omega.
He is eternally present, ever-faithful, and completely sufficient.
This truth should stir our hearts to worship, ground our faith in certainty, and inspire us to live with eternal perspective. The God who walked with Abraham walks with us still—and His name is Jesus.
📖 Want to Go Deeper?
📚 Read more about Jesus’ identity in our Jesus for Everyone series
📖 Study this verse in full on Bible Gateway – John 8:58
🕊️ Reflect on how the great “I AM” is active in your life today
Before Abraham Was, I Am – Understanding the Eternal Identity of Jesus
The statement “Before Abraham Was, I Am” stands as one of the most profound declarations made by Jesus Christ. Found in John 8:58, the phrase “Before Abraham Was, I Am” isn’t just a chronological reference—it’s a direct claim to divinity. When Jesus said “Before Abraham Was, I Am,” He wasn’t merely identifying Himself as older than Abraham; He was identifying Himself as eternal and divine.
The Jewish leaders of the time immediately recognized the gravity of what Jesus meant by saying “Before Abraham Was, I Am.” This phrase echoes God’s covenant name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.” By declaring “Before Abraham Was, I Am,” Jesus was identifying Himself as Yahweh, the eternal God of Israel. It was no surprise they picked up stones to stone Him—it was the most direct and unapologetic claim to deity He had made.
To understand “Before Abraham Was, I Am” fully, one must grasp the idea of Jesus’ preexistence. Jesus was not created at His earthly birth; rather, He existed before time began. The phrase “Before Abraham Was, I Am” clearly points to Christ’s existence outside the limitations of time. It also emphasizes that His role in salvation history did not begin in Bethlehem but in eternity past.
The phrase “Before Abraham Was, I Am” also challenges how we understand spiritual authority. Abraham, the father of faith, was highly revered by the Jewish people. Yet Jesus claimed superiority by stating “Before Abraham Was, I Am.” This placed Him above Abraham—not just in time but in essence and authority.
When we meditate on the phrase “Before Abraham Was, I Am,” we’re invited to see Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the eternal Lord. In a world that often reduces Jesus to a wise teacher or moral leader, “Before Abraham Was, I Am” reminds us of His divine nature. This truth shapes our worship, our trust, and our identity as believers.
If we truly believe “Before Abraham Was, I Am,” it means that Jesus is Lord over all time, space, and reality. We can rely on Him not just for spiritual salvation but for every aspect of life. “Before Abraham Was, I Am” reassures us that Jesus isn’t surprised by our struggles—He existed before them. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Ultimately, “Before Abraham Was, I Am” is not just a theological statement—it is a personal invitation. The eternal Christ, who existed before Abraham, invites you into a relationship with Him. Let the truth of “Before Abraham Was, I Am” transform your faith, deepen your worship, and ground your life in His unchanging presence.