John 8:51

Authorized King James Version

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Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Original Language Analysis

ἀμὴν Verily G281
ἀμὴν Verily
Strong's: G281
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν Verily G281
ἀμὴν Verily
Strong's: G281
Word #: 2 of 18
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω I say G3004
λέγω I say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 3 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὑμῖν unto you G5213
ὑμῖν unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 4 of 18
to (with or by) you
ἐάν If G1437
ἐάν If
Strong's: G1437
Word #: 5 of 18
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
τις a man G5100
τις a man
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 6 of 18
some or any person or object
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον saying G3056
λόγον saying
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 8 of 18
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐμὸν my G1699
ἐμὸν my
Strong's: G1699
Word #: 10 of 18
my
τηρήσῃ keep G5083
τηρήσῃ keep
Strong's: G5083
Word #: 11 of 18
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
θάνατον death G2288
θάνατον death
Strong's: G2288
Word #: 12 of 18
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
οὐ G3756
οὐ
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 13 of 18
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
μὴ G3361
μὴ
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 14 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
θεωρήσῃ he shall G2334
θεωρήσῃ he shall
Strong's: G2334
Word #: 15 of 18
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
εἰς G1519
εἰς
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 16 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνα G165
αἰῶνα
Strong's: G165
Word #: 18 of 18
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)

Analysis & Commentary

This promise—'if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death'—doesn't deny physical death but promises eternal life. 'Keep my saying' means obey and treasure Christ's words. 'Never see death' uses emphatic double negative in Greek ('ou me'), guaranteeing immunity from spiritual death. This outrages Jews who cite Abraham and prophets who died, missing Christ's point: He speaks of eternal life.

Historical Context

The Jews' response (v. 52) shows they interpreted this physically, not spiritually. Their question 'whom makest thou thyself?' (v. 53) reveals the real issue: Jesus claims authority above Abraham, which requires deity.

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