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John 8:52

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 8:52 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The 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.
John 8:52 — American Standard Version

Context — John 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
55and ye have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word.
← John 8:51John 8:53 →
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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
“Then said the Jews unto him, etc.] Upon these last words that he spake, giving assurance, that whoever kept his saying, should not die: now we know that thou hast a devil; they thought and said so before, but now they were assured, that he must be under diabolical influence, must be possessed with the devil, and mad, and out of his senses; for they thought no man in his senses would ever talk at this rate: Abraham is dead, and the prophets; that is, they are dead also, as the Ethiopic version adds; (see <380105>Zechariah 1:5); and thou sayest, if a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death: Abraham and the prophets were so far from pretending by their doctrine to communicate life and…”
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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
“Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil, &c.--"Thou art now self-convicted; only a demoniac could speak so; the most illustrious of our fathers are dead, and Thou promisest exemption from death to anyone who will keep Thy saying! pray, who art Thou?"”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hast a devil - Art deranged. Because he affirmed a thing which they supposed to be contrary to all experience, and to be impossible. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Now: Joh 8:48, Joh 9:24 Abraham: Zac 1:5, Zac 1:6; Heb 11:13 taste: Heb 2:9 John 8:53”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification