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John 8:51

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 8:51 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.
John 8:51 — American Standard Version

Context — John 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
48The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
49Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.
50But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.
52The 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.
53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?
54Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;
← John 8:50John 8:52 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, etc.] This is truth, and may be depended upon, as coming from the “Amen”, and faithful witness: if a man keep my saying; or doctrine, receives the Gospel in the love of it, obeys it from his heart, and cordially embraces and firmly believes it; and retains and holds it fast, having a spiritual and comfortable experience of the doctrines of Christ, and yielding a cheerful and ready obedience to his commands and ordinances, in faith and love: he shall never see death; the second death, eternal death, which is an everlasting separation of a man, body and soul, from God: this death shall have no power on such a person, he shall never be hurt by it; and though he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death--Partly thus vindicating His lofty claims as Lord of the kingdom of life everlasting, and, at the same time, holding out even to His revilers the scepter of grace. The word "keep" is in harmony with Joh 8:31, "If ye continue in My word," expressing the permanency, as a living and paramount principle, of that faith to which He referred: "never see death," though virtually uttered before (Joh 5:24; Joh 6:40, Joh 6:47, Joh 6:51), is the strongest and most naked statement of a very glorious truth yet given. (In Joh 11:26 it is repeated in nearly identical terms).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If a man keep my saying - If he believes on me and obeys my commandments. He shall never see death - To see death, or to taste of death, is the same as to die, Luke 2:26; Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1. The sense of this passage is, “He shall obtain eternal life, or he shall be raised up to that life where there shall be no death.” See John 6:49-50; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 11:25-26. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If a man keep my word - So will my Father consult my glory. We keep his doctrine by believing, his promises by hoping, his command by obeying. He shall never see death - That is, death eternal. He shall live for ever. Hereby he proves that he was no Samaritan; for the Samaritans in general were Sadducees. John 8:54”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“If: Joh 3:15, Joh 3:16, Joh 5:24, Joh 6:50, Joh 11:25, Joh 11:26 keep: Joh 8:55, Joh 15:20 see: Joh 8:12; Psa 89:48; Luk 2:26 John 8:52”
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Related study paths

Read John 8 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification