'Before Abraham Was, I Am' - Pre-existence or Pre-eminence?
Introduction: The Verse That Causes the Commotion
"'Very truly I tell you,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!' At this, they picked up stones to stone him." (John 8:58-59)
If you've ever questioned whether Jesus claimed to be God, someone has probably pointed you to this verse. "Jesus said 'I AM,'" they argue. "That's God's name from Exodus 3:14. Jesus is claiming to be Yahweh!"
The stones came out. The crowds erupted. Surely this proves Jesus claimed deity, right?
But wait. Let's slow down and ask some important questions:
- What was the conversation about that led to this statement?
- Does the Greek phrase "I am" (ego eimi) always mean a claim to divinity?
- Is Jesus claiming to be God, or something else entirely?
- Why does Jesus, in the same conversation, carefully distinguish Himself from God?
The answers might surprise you. Because when we examine this verse in its full context, with careful attention to the Greek language and Jesus's own explanations, we discover something different than what many have been taught.
Let's dig in.
Part 1: The Full Context - What Was the Debate About?
You cannot understand John 8:58 without reading the entire conversation. Context is everything.
The Setting: A Heated Debate
Jesus is teaching in the temple courts. The Jewish leaders are challenging Him, and the conversation becomes increasingly intense.
The Core Debate: Whose Children Are They?
The debate centers on spiritual heritage and authority:
The Jews claim: "Abraham is our father." (John 8:39)
Jesus responds: "If you were Abraham's children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things." (John 8:39-40)
Notice what Jesus calls Himself: "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God."
Not "God in human form." Not "the second person of the Trinity." Simply "a man" who speaks truth he heard from God.
The Accusation Intensifies
The Jews: "We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself." (John 8:41)
Jesus: "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me." (John 8:42)
Again, Jesus distinguishes Himself from God:
- He came from God (sent by God)
- He did not come on His own
- God sent Him
This is the language of agency, not identity. A messenger comes from the one who sent him but is not the same as the sender.
The Central Issue: Authority
Jesus: "Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death." (John 8:51)
The Jews: "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say 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?" (John 8:52-53)
Here's the real question: Is Jesus greater than Abraham?
Not "Is Jesus God?" but "Is Jesus greater than Abraham?"
Jesus's Answer About Abraham
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." (John 8:54-56)
Key points:
- "My Father... is the one who glorifies me" - The Father glorifies Jesus; Jesus doesn't glorify Himself
- "Your God" - Jesus refers to the Father as "your God" (implying the Father is also Jesus's God)
- "I... obey his word" - Jesus obeys the Father (God doesn't obey another)
- "Abraham... saw my day" - Abraham foresaw the Messiah's coming and rejoiced
The Final Exchange
"You are not yet fifty years old," they said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:57-58)
Now we arrive at the famous statement. But notice what it's answering: not "Are you God?" but "How have you seen Abraham?"
Jesus's answer: I existed before Abraham.
But does "existing before Abraham" mean "I am God"? Let's examine that carefully.
Part 2: Understanding "I Am" (Ego Eimi) in Greek
The phrase Jesus uses is ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi) - literally "I am" in Greek.
Many claim this is Jesus using the divine name "I AM" from Exodus 3:14. But is that what the Greek actually indicates?
Exodus 3:14 in Hebrew and Greek
First, let's look at what God said to Moses:
Hebrew (Exodus 3:14): "I AM WHO I AM" (אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה - ehyeh asher ehyeh)
Greek Septuagint (Exodus 3:14): "I am the One who is" (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν - ego eimi ho ōn)
Important notes:
- God's name is "I AM WHO I AM" or "I AM" (ehyeh) in Hebrew
- The Greek Septuagint translates this as "ego eimi ho ōn" ("I am the One who is")
- Jesus in John 8:58 just says "ego eimi" - without the additional phrase "ho ōn" ("the One who is")
How Common is "Ego Eimi" in Greek?
Here's the crucial point: "Ego eimi" is an extremely common phrase in Greek. It simply means "I am" or "It is I."
Let's look at other uses of this exact phrase in the New Testament:
Other People Use "Ego Eimi"
The blind man (John 9:9): People asked if he was the man who used to beg. He replied: "I am [the man]" (ego eimi)
Was the blind man claiming to be God? Of course not! He was simply saying "I am he" or "It's me."
Paul (Acts 22:3): "I am a Jew" (ego eimi)
Was Paul claiming divinity? No, just identifying himself.
Jesus Uses "Ego Eimi" in Non-Divine Contexts
Jesus to the Samaritan woman (John 4:26): She says, "I know that Messiah is coming." Jesus replies: "I, the one speaking to you—I am he" (ego eimi)
Is Jesus claiming to be God here? No, He's claiming to be the Messiah.
Jesus to His disciples (John 6:20): The disciples see Jesus walking on water and are frightened. Jesus says: "It is I; don't be afraid" (ego eimi)
Is this a claim to divinity or simply Jesus identifying Himself to calm their fears?
Jesus about false messiahs (Mark 13:6): "Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he' (ego eimi), and will deceive many."
False messiahs will use ego eimi to claim they're the Messiah. Does this mean every use of ego eimi is a claim to be God? Obviously not.
The Pattern is Clear
"Ego eimi" is simply the Greek way to say "I am" or "I am he." It's not automatically a claim to divinity.
Context determines whether it's:
- A simple identification ("It's me")
- A claim to be the Messiah ("I am he")
- Or (potentially) a claim to divinity
So we need to look at the context of John 8:58 to determine what Jesus meant.
Part 3: Pre-existence or Pre-eminence?
Let's return to John 8:58: "Before Abraham was born, I am."
What is Jesus actually claiming? There are several possible interpretations:
Interpretation #1: Jesus Existed Literally Before Abraham
This view says: Jesus pre-existed as a divine being (or as God Himself) before Abraham was born.
Supporting this:
- The contrast between "Abraham was born" (past tense) and "I am" (present tense)
- The claim to exist "before" Abraham
- The Jews' reaction (picking up stones)
Problems with this:
- Doesn't necessarily prove Jesus is God (angels also pre-existed Abraham)
- Jesus consistently distinguishes Himself from God in the same conversation
- Even if Jesus pre-existed, that doesn't make Him the Father or "the only true God"
Interpretation #2: Jesus Existed in God's Plan/Foreknowledge
This view says: Jesus existed in God's plan before Abraham, just as believers were "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4).
Supporting this:
- Abraham "saw" Jesus's day (v. 56) - in vision, prophecy, or God's promise
- Jesus is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8) in God's plan
- God "calls into being things that were not" (Romans 4:17)
How this works:
- Jesus was foreordained, planned, promised before Abraham
- When Abraham looked forward in faith to God's promises, he "saw" the coming Messiah
- Jesus is declaring His pre-eminence in God's plan, not literal pre-existence
Interpretation #3: Jesus is Asserting Priority and Authority
This view says: "I am" is Jesus's way of saying "I AM the one," "I am the Messiah," "I am greater than Abraham."
Supporting this:
- The question was about authority: "Are you greater than Abraham?"
- Jesus is asserting His superiority: Though Abraham came first chronologically, Jesus is greater
- Similar to Jesus saying "Before Abraham existed, I hold priority/supremacy"
Parallel passages:
- Colossians 1:17 - "He is before all things" (could mean pre-eminence, not just chronology)
- John 1:15 - "He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me"
Which Interpretation is Correct?
Here's the honest answer: The Greek grammar allows all three interpretations. Scholars debate this.
What's absolutely clear:
- Jesus is asserting His superiority over Abraham
- This doesn't necessarily mean Jesus is God (even if He pre-existed)
- Jesus distinguishes Himself from God in the same conversation
Let's look at that last point more carefully.
Part 4: Jesus Distinguishes Himself from God in the Same Conversation
This is crucial. In the same conversation where Jesus says "I am," He also makes clear statements that distinguish Himself from God.
Jesus Calls Himself "A Man"
"As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God." (John 8:40)
Jesus identifies Himself as "a man." Not "God in human flesh," just "a man."
And this man spoke truth that he "heard from God"—implying He and God are distinct persons.
God Sent Jesus
"I have not come on my own; God sent me." (John 8:42)
Jesus was sent by God. The sender and the sent one are not the same person.
Jesus Seeks the Father's Glory, Not His Own
"If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 8:54)
- The Father glorifies Jesus
- Jesus does not glorify Himself
- The Father is "your God" (and by implication, Jesus's God too)
Can God be glorified by another? Can God have a God? No—but God's human agent can.
Jesus Obeys the Father
"I know him and obey his word." (John 8:55)
Jesus obeys the Father's word. God doesn't obey anyone—God is the ultimate authority. But God's appointed Messiah would obey God.
Jesus Does Nothing on His Own
Earlier in John 8, Jesus says:
"I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (John 8:28)
"I always do what pleases him." (John 8:29)
These are not the statements of someone claiming to be God. These are the statements of someone who serves God perfectly as His agent.
Part 5: Why Did They Try to Stone Him?
"At this, they picked up stones to stone him." (John 8:59)
Many argue: "The Jews tried to stone Him, so He must have claimed to be God!"
But is that the only reason they would try to stone Him?
The Jews Were Already Angry
Look at the conversation's progression:
- Jesus told them they were children of the devil (John 8:44)
- Jesus said they didn't know God (John 8:55)
- Jesus claimed superiority over Abraham, their revered patriarch
They were furious before Jesus said "I am."
They Tried to Stone Him Other Times Too
John 10:31-33 - They tried to stone Him for claiming to be God's Son (which He denied meant He was claiming to be God—see John 10:34-36)
John 11:8 - The disciples say, "But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you"
The Jews tried to stone Jesus multiple times for various reasons. Their attempt to stone Him doesn't necessarily prove He claimed to be God—it proves they were hostile to His claims of Messiahship and authority.
The Real Issue: Blasphemy vs. Messianic Claims
The Jewish leaders considered it blasphemy when Jesus:
- Claimed to be the Messiah
- Claimed authority greater than Abraham
- Claimed intimate knowledge of the Father
- Performed miracles on the Sabbath
- Forgave sins (which they thought only God could do)
They had a very rigid understanding of what the Messiah could or couldn't claim. Jesus challenged their expectations.
But their reaction doesn't determine truth. The Jews were wrong about many things concerning Jesus. Their attempt to stone Him is evidence of their hostility, not proof that Jesus claimed deity.
Part 6: Even If Jesus Pre-existed, Does That Make Him God?
Let's assume for a moment that Jesus did literally pre-exist before Abraham. Does that automatically mean He's God?
Angels Pre-existed
Angels were created before humanity. They "sang together" at creation (Job 38:7). Satan was "in Eden" (Ezekiel 28:13).
Do angels' pre-existence make them God? No.
Pre-existence ≠ Deity
Even if Jesus existed before Abraham as:
- God's first creation
- God's master worker (like Wisdom in Proverbs 8)
- A pre-existent spirit being
- The angel of the Lord
That would make Him exalted and special, but not God Himself.
The Critical Question
The question isn't "Did Jesus exist before Abraham?" but "Is Jesus the same as the Father? Is He 'the only true God'?"
And Jesus's answer throughout John's Gospel is no:
- The Father is "the only true God" (John 17:3)
- The Father is greater than Jesus (John 14:28)
- Jesus does nothing by Himself (John 5:19)
- The Father is Jesus's God (John 20:17)
Pre-existence (if true) doesn't change this relationship.
Part 7: How This Fits with the Rest of Jesus's Teaching
Let's zoom out and see if John 8:58 fits with what Jesus teaches elsewhere.
Jesus's Consistent Pattern
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus:
Points people to the Father:
- "No one is good—except God alone" (Mark 10:18)
- "Why do you call me good?" (Luke 18:19)
Distinguishes Himself from the Father:
- "The Father is greater than I" (John 14:28)
- "I can do nothing by myself" (John 5:30)
Identifies the Father as "the only true God":
- "That they know you, the only true God" (John 17:3)
Calls the Father His God:
- "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17)
Jesus's Claims About Himself
Jesus consistently claims to be:
- The Messiah (the Christ)
- The Son of God (God's appointed representative)
- The one sent by God
- The one who does the Father's will
- The Lord (master, king) whom God exalted
He does not claim to be:
- The Father
- "The only true God"
- Equal to the Father in authority
- Acting independently of the Father
The Interpretation That Fits
When we read John 8:58 in light of everything else Jesus says, the best interpretation is:
Jesus is claiming pre-eminence and authority that comes from God. Whether this is:
- Pre-existence in God's plan
- Actual pre-existence as God's first creation/agent
- A claim to supremacy over Abraham
...it's a claim to be God's appointed Messiah, not a claim to be God Himself.
This interpretation fits with Jesus's consistent self-description and His relationship with the Father.
Part 8: What About Other "I Am" Statements?
Jesus makes several "I am" statements in John's Gospel. Do these prove deity?
The Seven "I Am" Statements
- "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
- "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
- "I am the door" (John 10:9)
- "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
- "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
- "I am the vine" (John 15:5)
What Do These Mean?
These statements use "I am" (ego eimi) with metaphors:
- Bread, light, door, shepherd, vine
Clearly Jesus isn't claiming to be literally bread or a vine. He's using symbolic language to describe His role:
- He provides spiritual nourishment (bread)
- He gives spiritual illumination (light)
- He is the access point to God (door)
- He cares for God's people (shepherd)
- He is the source of our spiritual life (vine)
None of these require Jesus to be God. They describe His function as God's appointed Messiah and mediator.
The Pattern
In every "I am" statement:
- Jesus describes what He does for us
- These roles are given to Him by God
- He mediates between God and us
- He brings us to the Father
This is the role of the Messiah, not the role of God Himself.
Part 9: The Jews' Understanding vs. Reality
Here's an important principle: The Jews misunderstood Jesus repeatedly.
What the Jews Got Wrong About Jesus
Throughout the Gospels, the Jews:
Thought Jesus was breaking the Sabbath (John 5:18)
- Jesus's response: No, I'm honoring my Father
Thought Jesus was demon-possessed (John 8:48)
- Jesus's response: No, I honor my Father
Thought Jesus was claiming to be God (John 10:33)
- Jesus's response: No, I said I'm God's Son—even Scripture calls judges "gods"
Thought He was blaspheming by forgiving sins (Mark 2:7)
- Jesus's response: The Son of Man has authority (given by God) to forgive sins
The Point
Just because the Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be God doesn't mean He was claiming to be God.
The Jews had:
- Rigid expectations about the Messiah
- Misunderstandings about God's plan
- Hostility toward Jesus's teaching
Their interpretation of Jesus's words is not the final word. Jesus's own explanations and consistent teaching should guide our interpretation.
Part 10: Practical Application
How should understanding John 8:58 affect your faith?
1. Don't Build Doctrine on Unclear Passages
John 8:58 is debated among scholars. The Greek allows multiple interpretations. Even if Jesus is claiming pre-existence, that doesn't automatically prove deity.
Clear passages should interpret unclear ones, not the other way around.
What's clear:
- Jesus calls the Father "the only true God" (John 17:3)
- Jesus says the Father is greater (John 14:28)
- Jesus consistently distinguishes Himself from the Father
- Paul calls the Father "the one God" (1 Corinthians 8:6)
- Paul calls Jesus "the man" who mediates (1 Timothy 2:5)
What's debatable:
- Whether "I am" in John 8:58 is a claim to pre-existence or pre-eminence
- Whether pre-existence (if true) makes Jesus deity
- What exactly Jesus meant by "before Abraham was"
Use the clear to understand the unclear.
2. Honor Jesus's Actual Claims
Jesus claimed to be:
- The Messiah promised in Scripture
- God's Son (His chosen representative)
- The one with authority from God
- Greater than Abraham and all prophets
- The way to the Father
These are massive claims! You don't need to add "and He's also God" for Jesus to be glorious.
Honor Him for what He actually claimed, not what later theology added.
3. Maintain Biblical Monotheism
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)
This is the foundation of biblical faith. Jesus affirmed it (Mark 12:29).
When you read John 8:58, don't let it overturn this foundation. Instead, interpret it in a way that maintains monotheism:
- Jesus is God's appointed agent
- Jesus has authority and pre-eminence
- But the Father alone is "the only true God"
4. Trust God's Plan
Whether Jesus literally pre-existed or existed in God's plan from the beginning, the point is the same:
God planned your salvation from before Abraham.
The Messiah was not an afterthought. God's plan to save you through Jesus was set from the beginning.
That's the real comfort in this verse.
Conclusion: What Jesus Actually Claimed
"Before Abraham was born, I am." (John 8:58)
What was Jesus claiming?
At minimum: Jesus is greater than Abraham, with authority and priority that comes from God.
Possibly: Jesus existed before Abraham in some form—in God's plan, as God's first creation, or as a pre-existent being.
But not: Jesus is claiming to be "the only true God" or identical with the Father.
The evidence is clear:
In the same conversation, Jesus:
- Calls Himself "a man"
- Says God sent Him
- Says He obeys God's word
- Says the Father glorifies Him
- Distinguishes Himself from "your God" (the Father)
These statements are incompatible with claiming to be God. They're perfectly compatible with claiming to be God's appointed Messiah with authority greater than Abraham.
John 8:58 is about Jesus's authority and supremacy, not about Him being God. And that fits perfectly with everything else Jesus taught about Himself and His relationship with the Father.
Don't let one ambiguous verse overturn all the clear statements where Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father and calls the Father "the only true God."
Honor Jesus as the Messiah. That's glorious enough. That's the truth. That's what Jesus actually claimed.
For Further Study
Read the full context:
- John 8:31-59 (The entire conversation leading to "I am")
- Notice every time Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father
Study other uses of "ego eimi":
- John 4:26 (To the Samaritan woman)
- John 6:20 (Walking on water)
- John 9:9 (The blind man)
- Mark 13:6 (False messiahs saying "ego eimi")
Compare with clear statements:
- John 17:3 ("You, the only true God")
- John 14:28 ("The Father is greater than I")
- John 5:30 ("I can do nothing by myself")
- John 20:17 ("My God and your God")
Study pre-existence in Scripture:
- Ephesians 1:4 (Believers chosen before the foundation of the world)
- Revelation 13:8 (The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world)
- Romans 4:17 (God calls things that are not as though they were)
Questions to Consider:
- If "ego eimi" automatically means "I am God," why does the blind man use it without claiming deity?
- How can Jesus say "I am" in verse 58 while calling Himself "a man who heard from God" in verse 40?
- Why does Jesus say God "sent" Him and He "obeys" God if He's claiming to be God?
- If pre-existence proves deity, what about angels who pre-existed humans?
- Which interpretation makes sense of both John 8:58 and the clear statements where Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father?
Your Challenge:
Read John chapters 5-8 continuously. Every time you see Jesus speak about His relationship with the Father, mark it. Notice:
- How often Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Father
- How often Jesus attributes His authority to the Father
- How Jesus describes Himself (as "sent," as doing the Father's will, as seeking the Father's glory)
Then ask: Does this sound like someone claiming to be God, or someone claiming to be God's perfect representative?
The evidence points to the latter. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.