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John 8:55

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 8:55 say?

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

The verse

and 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 8:55 — American Standard Version

Context — John 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.
57The Jews therefore said unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.
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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
“Yet ye have not known him, etc.] Not as the Father of Christ, nor as in Christ, whom to know is life eternal: they had no spiritual knowledge of him, nor communion with him; nor did they know truly his mind and will, nor how to worship and serve him as they ought: but I know him; his nature and perfections, being of the same nature, and having the same perfections with him; and his whole mind and will lying in his bosom: nor did, or does any know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom he is pleased to reveal him: and if I should say, I know him not, I should be a liar like unto you. Our Lord still intimates, that they were of their father the devil, and imitated him not only as a murderer,…”
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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
“I shall be a liar like unto you--now rising to the summit of holy, naked severity, thereby to draw this long dialogue to a head.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ye have not: Joh 8:19, Joh 7:28, Joh 7:29, Joh 15:21, Joh 16:3, Joh 17:25; Jer 4:22, Jer 9:3; Hos 5:4; Act 17:23; Co2 4:6 but: Joh 1:18, Joh 6:46, Joh 7:29, Joh 10:15; Mat 11:27; Luk 10:22 shall: Joh 8:44; Jo1 2:4, Jo1 2:22, Jo1 5:10; Rev 3:9 and keep: Joh 8:29, Joh 8:51 John 8:56”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification