The phrase "I am" in John 8:58—"Before Abraham was, I am"—has been one of the most influential verses in shaping the belief that Jesus is God. Many Christians interpret it as a reference to God's self-identification in Exodus 3:14, where God tells Moses, "I am who I am." Some Bible translations capitalize I AM to reinforce this connection, leading readers to assume that Jesus is directly claiming the divine name. This interpretation has been a cornerstone of Trinitarian theology, particularly in the teachings of early Church Fathers like Augustine, who argued that Jesus was asserting his eternal, divine nature. Over time, this understanding became embedded in Christian doctrine, reinforcing the belief that Jesus was not only the Son of God but also God Himself.
However, a thorough analysis of John 8 in the broader context of John’s Gospel suggests a different and more nuanced meaning. The phrase ego eimi (I am) is used multiple times by Jesus throughout John, not always in a way that implies divinity. In John 8:24 and John 8:28, Jesus says people must believe that "I am he," which clearly refers to his identity as the one sent by the Father, not necessarily as God Himself. Similarly, in John 9:9, the same phrase is used by a healed man to simply say, "I am he." The immediate context of John 8:58 suggests that Jesus is making a contrast between Abraham’s temporal existence ("Before Abraham was") and his own preexistence ("I am"). This could indicate that he existed in God's plan or as a divine purpose before Abraham, rather than that he was declaring himself to be God.
John’s Gospel repeatedly presents Jesus as the one sent by the Father, distinct from God yet intimately connected to Him. Jesus states in John 14:28, "The Father is greater than I," and in John 5:30, "I can do nothing by myself." He consistently refers to himself as being dependent on the Father’s will and authority. When John 8 is read in this context, it becomes clear that Jesus' emphasis is not on claiming divinity in an absolute sense but on his unique role as the Logos, the one through whom God’s wisdom, purpose, and life are revealed. His preexistence can be understood as being foundational to creation—not in the sense that he is the Almighty God, but in that his existence was integral to why life was created in the first place, as John 1:4 suggests: "In him was life."
The strong reaction from the Jewish leaders in John 8:59, where they attempt to stone Jesus, is often cited as evidence that they understood him to be claiming to be God. However, their hostility throughout John’s Gospel frequently arises not from a claim to divinity, but from their rejection of his authority as the one sent by God. His statements about being the light of the world, the Son of God, and the one who has come from the Father were radical claims in themselves, and their rejection of him was rooted in their resistance to the idea that he had a unique and preordained role in God's plan.
In conclusion, while John 8:58 has led many to interpret Jesus as claiming to be God, a careful reading of the passage within the wider teachings of John’s Gospel suggests a different meaning. Jesus was asserting his preexistence and his central role in God’s purpose, rather than making an explicit claim to be God in a Trinitarian sense. The phrase ego eimi should be understood in the context of Jesus’ identity as the Logos, the one through whom life and enlightenment come into the world. His preexistence was not about him being the same as God, but about his role in shaping and sustaining creation itself.
Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025
