150. A Word to the People: the Lord, by Pointing to His Eternal Being, Enrages the Jews. Jn. 8:51–59

Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. The Jews said to him: Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets. Yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?

Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ and yet you do not know him. But I know him. And if I said, ‘I do not know him,’ I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad.

The Jews then said to him: You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.

Then they took up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple, passing through their midst, and went on his way.