John 8:56
Verse
Context
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Abraham rejoiced to see my day - Or, he earnestly desired to see my day; ηγαλλιασατο, from αγαν, very much, and ἁλλομαι, I leap - his soul leaped forward in earnest hope and strong expectation that he might see the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The metaphor appears to be taken from a person who, desiring to see a long-expected friend who is coming, runs forward, now and then jumping up to see if he can discover him. There is a saying very like this in Sohar Numer fol. 61: "Abraham rejoiced because he could know, and perceive, and cleave to the Divine Name." The Divine name is יהוה Yehovah; and by this they simply mean God himself. And he saw it - Not only in the first promise, Gen 3:15, for the other patriarchs saw this as well as he; and not only in that promise which was made particularly to himself, Gen 12:7; Gen 22:18, (compared with Gal 3:16), that the Messiah should spring from his family; but he saw this day especially when Jehovah appeared to him in a human form, Gen 18:2, Gen 18:17, which many suppose to have been a manifestation of the Lord Jesus.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Abraham rejoiced to see my day, &c.--exulted, or exceedingly rejoiced that he should see, he exulted to see it, that is, by anticipation. Nay, he saw it, and was glad--he actually beheld it, to his joy. If this mean no more than that he had a prophetic foresight of the gospel-day--the second clause just repeating the first--how could the Jews understand our Lord to mean that He "had seen Abraham?" And if it mean that Abraham was then beholding, in his disembodied spirit, the incarnate Messiah [STIER, ALFORD, &c.], the words seem very unsuitable to express it. It expresses something past--"he saw My day, and was glad," that is, surely while he lived. He seems to refer to the familiar intercourse which Abraham had with God, who is once and again in the history called "the Angel of the Lord," and whom Christ here identifies with Himself. On those occasions, Abraham "saw ME" (OLSHAUSEN, though he thinks the reference is to some unrecorded scene). If this be the meaning, all that follows is quite natural.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then they took up stones to cast at him,.... Supposing that he had spoken blasphemy; for they well understood that he, by so saying, made himself to be the eternal God, the unchangeable Jehovah. Should it be asked how they came by their stones in the temple? it may be replied, the temple was still building, Joh 2:20, and stones, or pieces of stones, might lie about, with which they furnished themselves, in order to have destroyed Christ: and this they attempted, though it was on the sabbath day, as appears from Joh 9:1; and with them, , "stoning on the sabbath day" (d) was allowed in some cases. But Jesus hid himself, not in any corner of the temple, or behind a pillar; but he withdrew himself from them directly, and made himself invisible to them, by holding their eyes, or casting a mist before them, that they could not see him: and went out of the temple; by one of the gates of it: going through the midst of them; not of the persons that took up stones to stone him; but the rest of the people, who were there in great multitudes to hear his doctrine, and see his miracles: and so passed by, and escaped out of their hands; the last words, going through the midst of them, and so passed by, are not in Beza's most ancient copy, and in the Vulgate Latin version. (d) T. Hieros. Yom Tob, fol. 63. 2. Next: John Chapter 9
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:56 Like his opponents, Jesus appealed to Abraham. Rabbis taught that God had given Abraham prophetic insight, teaching him about the coming age of the Messiah.
John 8:56
Before Abraham Was Born, I Am
55You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.56Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Between Death and Resurrection - Part 2
By David Pawson5.8K17:30ResurrectionMAT 25:46LUK 16:22JHN 8:56PHP 1:23HEB 9:27HEB 12:221PE 3:19In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of regret and the certainty of the afterlife. He emphasizes that once a person is in the prison of death, there is no going back to life or forward to paradise. The preacher also addresses questions about the interval between death and resurrection. He explains that the ultimate destiny of individuals in this interval is determined by their response to Christ and the light they have received in their lives. The preacher concludes by stating that our actions in this life not only determine our destiny in the afterlife but also impact the intermediate stage between death and resurrection.
(Men Who Met God): Jacob Had an Encounter With God
By A.W. Tozer5.1K42:38JacobGEN 28:10EXO 3:1ISA 6:1LUK 2:25JHN 8:56In this sermon, the preacher discusses the character of Jacob from the Bible. He describes Jacob as a man with a streak of avarice and larceny. The preacher emphasizes the need to face the reality of Jacob's flaws instead of ignoring them. He also highlights the importance of having a spiritual experience with God, which goes beyond human comprehension and explanation. The sermon references the story of Jacob's encounter with God at Bethel, where he realizes the presence of God and the capability within humans to know Him.
(Through the Bible) Genesis 13-14
By Chuck Smith1.5K48:06ExpositionalGEN 13:14GEN 14:21MAT 6:33JHN 8:56HEB 7:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing the panoramic view that Abram had of the land that God promised to give him and his descendants. The speaker mentions the mountains of Moab to the east, the area of Jerusalem and the southern range of the Jerusalem mountains to the south, the Sharon Plains and the Mediterranean to the west, and the north. The speaker then makes a comment about Jimmy Carter potentially taking away part of the land from Abram, which he later apologizes for. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not taking for granted the excitement and presence of God in our lives, and encourages the audience to always be excited about God's work and blessings. The sermon also briefly mentions the story of Abram and Lot, and how God comforts Abram after Lot departs. The speaker concludes by reiterating God's promise to give the land to Abram and his descendants forever.
Abraham, My Friend: 04 When He Was called...
By Ron Bailey1.3K14:05AbrahamGEN 12:1JOB 11:7MAT 14:29LUK 1:37JHN 8:56ACT 7:2ROM 10:17HEB 11:8In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Abraham and his obedience to God's call. The speaker emphasizes the importance of obeying God's word without demanding explanations or visions for the future. Abraham's faith and obedience are highlighted as key factors in his relationship with God. The speaker encourages listeners to have faith and respond to God's revelation, trusting in His guidance even when the path is uncertain.
(Covenant Series) 2. Abraham
By Al Whittinghill1.3K52:44Covenant SeriesGEN 15:6JHN 8:56ROM 4:3GAL 3:6JAS 2:23REV 1:14In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of a covenant between God and Abram (later known as Abraham). The speaker explains that in a covenant, both parties typically have something to offer, but Abram had nothing to give. Instead, God put Abram to sleep and walked through the split animals in his place, symbolizing an unequal covenant where God is the one who gives everything. The speaker emphasizes that all God wants from us is our love and acceptance of his covenant.
Vision #1
By Stephen Kaung8811:11:30Faith and ObedienceDivine VisionGEN 12:1GEN 15:5GEN 17:4GEN 22:17PRO 29:18JHN 8:56ACT 7:2EPH 3:9HEB 11:8REV 21:2Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this through the life of Abraham, who, despite his initial uncertainties, obeyed God's call to leave his homeland and pursue a promise he could not yet see. Kaung highlights that true vision is a revelation from God that transforms our understanding and guides our actions, urging believers to seek a personal encounter with God to receive their own vision. He encourages the congregation to recognize that God's revelations are not just abstract ideas but practical truths that should manifest in their lives.
Jesus From Genesis to Revelation (Pt. 2)
By Michael Koulianos3733:11Jesus as TeacherJesusWorship in Spirit and TruthLUK 24:27JHN 4:24JHN 8:56HEB 11:1Michael Koulianos emphasizes that Jesus is our ultimate teacher who reveals the Scriptures to point us to Himself, glorifying God the Father. He warns against the dangers of religious language that disconnects from the heart and stresses the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth. Koulianos illustrates how the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus, highlighting Abraham's faith and the prophetic significance of the lamb. He encourages believers to pursue a passionate relationship with Jesus, rejecting mediocrity and distractions, and to recognize the power of the Scriptures in understanding Christ's mission. Ultimately, he calls for a heart that seeks Jesus earnestly, as true worship flows from a genuine connection with Him.
The True Meaning of the Promised Land
By David Wilkerson1FaithEternal PromiseGEN 17:8JHN 8:56JHN 14:2ROM 8:17GAL 3:29EPH 1:13HEB 11:92PE 3:10REV 21:1David Wilkerson explains that the Promised Land given to Abraham was not merely a physical territory but a symbol of a greater spiritual reality. He emphasizes that Abraham understood this land as a representation of the coming Messiah and a longing for a heavenly city built by God. The true meaning of the Promised Land is found in Jesus Christ, who offers total peace and rest to believers. Wilkerson highlights that through faith, we can claim our everlasting possession in Christ, who is both our inheritance and our hope. Ultimately, the sermon reveals that the promise extends beyond earthly boundaries to eternal life with God.
The Everlasting Covenant
By A.W. Pink1Grace and SalvationCovenant TheologyGEN 3:152SA 23:5ISA 42:6MAL 3:1JHN 8:56EPH 2:12PHP 4:19HEB 8:10HEB 9:15REV 13:8A.W. Pink expounds on 'The Everlasting Covenant,' illustrating how God's plan for salvation was established before the foundation of the world, with Christ as the mediator. He emphasizes that the covenants made with figures like Noah, Abraham, and David were manifestations of this eternal covenant, revealing God's grace and mercy. Pink highlights that these covenants were unconditional promises from God, fulfilled through Christ's sacrificial work, ensuring the salvation of the elect. The sermon underscores the significance of understanding the covenant relationship between the Father and the Son, which is foundational to grasping the fullness of God's redemptive plan. Ultimately, Pink calls believers to appreciate their inclusion in this everlasting covenant of grace.
Genesis 22
By Chuck Smith0God's ProvisionFaith in God's PlanGEN 22:8JHN 8:56ROM 8:32PHP 4:19HEB 11:17Chuck Smith preaches on Genesis 22, emphasizing that Jehovah Jireh, or 'The Lord will provide,' is evident in God's provision during times of extremity. He illustrates how Abraham's faith led him to rejoice at the sight of God's substitute for Isaac, highlighting that God's provisions are spontaneous and made by Him alone. Smith stresses that human efforts are insufficient for true sacrifice, and that God's provisions, exemplified by the ram in the thicket, are both glorious and effective, ultimately pointing to Christ as the ultimate provision for humanity's needs.
The Crisis as to the Earthly and the Heavenly
By T. Austin-Sparks0Heavenly CallingPioneering FaithGEN 12:1NUM 13:1NUM 14:10PSA 139:23JHN 8:56ACT 2:23ROM 1:4GAL 3:16HEB 6:19HEB 11:16T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the ongoing conflict between the earthly and the heavenly, illustrating how the Old Testament figures, particularly Joshua and Caleb, serve as pioneers of the heavenly way. He highlights the need for believers to recognize their heavenly calling and to separate themselves from earthly standards, as true access to God requires a different basis than what the world offers. Sparks points out that the Church has largely become earthly in its approach, losing sight of its heavenly vision and purpose. He calls for a return to the pioneering spirit that seeks to fulfill God's heavenly purposes, despite the challenges and costs involved. Ultimately, he encourages believers to embrace their identity as pioneers, linking their faith to the greater heavenly reality embodied in Christ.
The Greatest Trial of All
By F.B. Meyer0ObedienceDivine ProvisionFaithGEN 22:2MAT 10:37JHN 8:561CO 10:13HEB 11:19F.B. Meyer explores the profound trial of Abraham as he is commanded by God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, emphasizing the themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision. He draws parallels between Abraham's test and God's own sacrifice of His Son, illustrating how trials serve to reveal and strengthen our faith. Meyer highlights that God prepares us for trials and that true love for God is demonstrated through our willingness to obey Him, even at great personal cost. The sermon culminates in the assurance that God provides for our needs, often at the moment of our greatest desperation, and that through obedience, we can inherit the blessings promised to Abraham. Ultimately, Meyer encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to recognize the deeper spiritual truths reflected in Abraham's experience.
The Eye of Faith
By A.W. Pink0Spiritual PerceptionFaithJOB 42:5PSA 25:15PRO 4:18JHN 8:56ACT 26:18GAL 3:1HEB 11:27A.W. Pink explores the concept of faith as the 'eye' that perceives the reality of God, as illustrated by Job's declaration of seeing God after overcoming self-righteousness. He emphasizes that faith, like the eye, is passive, directing, quick, capacious, assuring, impressing, wondrous, and tender, allowing believers to perceive spiritual truths and navigate their lives. Pink draws parallels between the physical eye and faith, highlighting how faith enables Christians to see beyond the material world and grasp the eternal promises of God. He encourages believers to cultivate their faith, which grows deeper and clearer over time, leading to a transformative relationship with Christ.
John 8:48-59
By St. John Chrysostom0JHN 8:50JHN 8:56JHN 8:58HEB 3:13John Chrysostom preaches on the encounter between Jesus and the Jews, highlighting their insults towards Jesus, calling Him a Samaritan and accusing Him of having a devil. Despite the insults, Jesus responds with meekness, emphasizing His honor for the Father and His lack of concern for personal glory. He challenges the Jews to believe in Him and keep His teachings to attain eternal life, revealing His superiority over Abraham and the prophets. The Jews, blinded by their pride and disbelief, fail to recognize Jesus' divinity and attempt to stone Him when He declares His eternal existence before Abraham.
The Glorious Cross
By G.W. North0The Cross of ChristEternal TruthsISA 53:5JHN 1:29JHN 8:56ROM 3:252CO 4:18GAL 3:24EPH 1:4HEB 10:11PE 1:19REV 13:8G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the crucifixion of Christ as a temporal event that reveals eternal truths about God's love and sacrifice. He explains that while the crucifixion was a pivotal moment in history, it is merely the visible manifestation of a deeper, eternal reality that has existed since before creation. North argues that all sacrifices, including those in the Old Testament, point back to the original sacrifice of the Lamb, which transcends time and is foundational to understanding God's righteousness. He encourages believers to look beyond the visible and grasp the invisible, eternal truths that the cross represents. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper appreciation of the cross as both a historical event and a reflection of God's eternal nature.
The Incarnation Part 1 - "Isaiah's Prophecy"
By Charles Alexander0GEN 3:15PSA 139:23ISA 7:14ISA 9:6MAT 11:28JHN 3:19JHN 7:37JHN 8:56JHN 11:25Charles Alexander preaches about the profound significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment of numerous prophecies over centuries that pointed to His birth as both man and God. The sermon delves into the miraculous circumstances of His birth, the specific prophecies foretelling His coming, and the unique nature of His dual identity as the Son of God and a child born to a virgin. It highlights the unparalleled expectation and preparation throughout history for the arrival of the Savior, contrasting the true hope offered by Christ with the limitations of other religious beliefs. The sermon concludes with a powerful reflection on the redemptive work of Jesus, who, as both God and man, overcame death to bring forth life and salvation to humanity.
2 Corinthians 1:12
By St. John Chrysostom0GEN 22:8GEN 22:11PSA 103:2ISA 53:7JHN 8:56EPH 1:14PHP 3:202TI 2:11John Chrysostom preaches about the exemplary faith and obedience of Abraham, highlighting his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as a demonstration of his fear of God and trust in His providence. Chrysostom emphasizes the purity of Abraham's conscience and his unwavering commitment to God, showcasing him as a model of faith, priesthood, and prophecy. He draws parallels between Abraham's sacrifice and Christ's sacrifice on the cross, illustrating the profound spiritual significance of both acts. Chrysostom urges believers to emulate Abraham's faith and dedication, reminding them of their royal priesthood and prophetic calling through the Holy Spirit's seal.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Abraham rejoiced to see my day - Or, he earnestly desired to see my day; ηγαλλιασατο, from αγαν, very much, and ἁλλομαι, I leap - his soul leaped forward in earnest hope and strong expectation that he might see the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The metaphor appears to be taken from a person who, desiring to see a long-expected friend who is coming, runs forward, now and then jumping up to see if he can discover him. There is a saying very like this in Sohar Numer fol. 61: "Abraham rejoiced because he could know, and perceive, and cleave to the Divine Name." The Divine name is יהוה Yehovah; and by this they simply mean God himself. And he saw it - Not only in the first promise, Gen 3:15, for the other patriarchs saw this as well as he; and not only in that promise which was made particularly to himself, Gen 12:7; Gen 22:18, (compared with Gal 3:16), that the Messiah should spring from his family; but he saw this day especially when Jehovah appeared to him in a human form, Gen 18:2, Gen 18:17, which many suppose to have been a manifestation of the Lord Jesus.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Abraham rejoiced to see my day, &c.--exulted, or exceedingly rejoiced that he should see, he exulted to see it, that is, by anticipation. Nay, he saw it, and was glad--he actually beheld it, to his joy. If this mean no more than that he had a prophetic foresight of the gospel-day--the second clause just repeating the first--how could the Jews understand our Lord to mean that He "had seen Abraham?" And if it mean that Abraham was then beholding, in his disembodied spirit, the incarnate Messiah [STIER, ALFORD, &c.], the words seem very unsuitable to express it. It expresses something past--"he saw My day, and was glad," that is, surely while he lived. He seems to refer to the familiar intercourse which Abraham had with God, who is once and again in the history called "the Angel of the Lord," and whom Christ here identifies with Himself. On those occasions, Abraham "saw ME" (OLSHAUSEN, though he thinks the reference is to some unrecorded scene). If this be the meaning, all that follows is quite natural.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then they took up stones to cast at him,.... Supposing that he had spoken blasphemy; for they well understood that he, by so saying, made himself to be the eternal God, the unchangeable Jehovah. Should it be asked how they came by their stones in the temple? it may be replied, the temple was still building, Joh 2:20, and stones, or pieces of stones, might lie about, with which they furnished themselves, in order to have destroyed Christ: and this they attempted, though it was on the sabbath day, as appears from Joh 9:1; and with them, , "stoning on the sabbath day" (d) was allowed in some cases. But Jesus hid himself, not in any corner of the temple, or behind a pillar; but he withdrew himself from them directly, and made himself invisible to them, by holding their eyes, or casting a mist before them, that they could not see him: and went out of the temple; by one of the gates of it: going through the midst of them; not of the persons that took up stones to stone him; but the rest of the people, who were there in great multitudes to hear his doctrine, and see his miracles: and so passed by, and escaped out of their hands; the last words, going through the midst of them, and so passed by, are not in Beza's most ancient copy, and in the Vulgate Latin version. (d) T. Hieros. Yom Tob, fol. 63. 2. Next: John Chapter 9
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:56 Like his opponents, Jesus appealed to Abraham. Rabbis taught that God had given Abraham prophetic insight, teaching him about the coming age of the Messiah.