John 8:58
NT Gospels
John 8:5858“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
JW Usage
NWT renders "Before Abraham came into existence, I have been" — changing ego eimi to a past tense to avoid the connection to .
Protestant Usage
Jesus says ego eimi — "I AM" — the divine name from the burning bush (). The Jews understood exactly what he claimed and picked up stones for blasphemy.
NWT Issue
NWT changes "I am" to "I have been" despite ego eimi being present tense in the Greek. The Jews' reaction (stoning for blasphemy) only makes sense if Jesus claimed the divine name.
Arguments Using This Verse
Ego Eimi — 'I AM'
John 8:58
Deity of Christ Strong
The NWT's One-Way Mirror
Every Change Points the Same Direction
NWT Translation Strong
Spirit of Christ — Restructured Away
1 Peter 1:11 — The NWT Breaks the Genitive to Hide Pre-Existence
NWT Translation Strong
Three Groups, One Move
The Bible Is Broken and We Have the Fix
Authority Strong
Unless You Believe That I AM — Christology as a Salvation Issue
John 8:24 / Isaiah 43:10 / John 13:19
Deity of Christ Very Strong
Abraham Rejoiced to See My Day
John 8:56 — Jesus Claims Abraham Saw Him in the OT
Deity of Christ Moderate
The Trial That Proved Jesus Claimed to Be God
Mark 14:60-64
Deity of Christ Very Strong
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord — There Is No Fourth Option
John 8:58 / John 10:30 / Mark 14:62
Deity of Christ Strong
You Can't Cite a Bible You Say Is Corrupted
The Selective-Appeal Inconsistency
Authority Very Strong
The Angel That Bore Jehovah's Name
Acts 7:38, Exodus 23:20-23 — an angel who forgives sin and demands absolute obedience
Deity of Christ Strong
The Incarnation Is Addition, Not Compression
Why the Logos-to-Michael-to-Jesus-to-Michael cycle does not match the New Testament
Deity of Christ Strong