John 8:57

Authorized King James Version

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
εἶπον
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
οὖν
Then
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰουδαῖοι
the Jews
judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah
#5
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#6
αὐτόν
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#7
Πεντήκοντα
fifty
fifty
#8
ἔτη
years old
a year
#9
οὔπω
not yet
not yet
#10
ἔχεις
Thou art
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#11
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
Ἀβραὰμ
G11
Abraham
abraham, the hebrew patriarch
#13
ἑώρακας
hast thou seen
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to John. The concept of divine revelation reflects the essential nature of God revealed through Christ. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to theological biography emphasizing Jesus' divine identity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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