John 8:52
What does John 8:52 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:52 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:52 means
The Jews respond that now they know He has a demon, since Abraham and the prophets died, yet Jesus promises that those who keep His word will never taste death. They interpret His promise only in terms of physical mortality and conclude it is blasphemous or deranged. Their reaction reveals a failure to grasp Jesus’ authority over eternal life. By invoking revered figures who died, they challenge His greatness. The irony is thick: the Lord of life stands before them, offering victory over death, and they accuse Him of madness because they cannot see beyond the grave.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Jews said to him, Now we are certain that you have an evil spirit. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead; and you say, If a man keeps my word he will never see death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Jews, therefore, said to him, `Now we have known that thou hast a demon; Abraham did die, and the prophets, and thou dost say, If any one may keep my word, he shall not taste of death--to the age!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Jews therefore said to him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham has died, and the prophets, and thou sayest, If any one keep my word, he shall never taste death.
Context
This objection follows Jesus’ life-giving promise. It sets up their question about whether He is greater than Abraham and their demand to know whom He claims to be. The conversation is pressing toward identity and glory—does Jesus outrank the patriarchs? The next verses will show Jesus refusing self-glorification, testifying that the Father glorifies Him, and asserting unique knowledge of God. This context prepares for the stunning statement about Abraham rejoicing to see Jesus’ day and the ultimate claim of pre-existence.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:48
The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
- Zechariah 1:5
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
- John 8:51
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.
- Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
- John 9:24
So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.
- Hebrews 2:9
But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.
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