An American attorney and author, Mike Godwin, is credited with what is known as Godwin’s Law, short for Godwin’s Rule of Nazi Analogies. The law or rule asserts: the longer the discussion (regardless of subject matter or gravity), the more likely a Nazi comparison becomes, and with long enough discussions, it is a certainty. Of course, Nazi’s didn’t exist in the first century AD, but the rule for an ad hominem slur did exist, though probably not known or understood. The longer the Jewish authorities confronted Jesus, the more often their discussions with him descended into ad hominem remarks, and this one was no different. In John 8:48 they accused Jesus of being a Samaritan and having a demon. Since they had no good reply to deny Jesus’ claims, they began to attack his character. This sort of thing had been done throughout history by weak minded folk, Godwin’s Law notwithstanding.
Jesus’ reply was direct, but calm, and expressed the dignity of one sent by God. Far from being of the same mindset of his foes, as understood by many folks today who claim he accused the authorities of being the children of the Devil (cp. John 8:44; 1Peter 2:23), Jesus simply said he did not have a demon, for he honored God, his Father, but they dishonored him (Jesus). Neither did he (Jesus) seek his own glory, which they accused Jesus of doing (John 8:13), but there is one who looks on and judges (John 8:49-50; cp. 1Corinthians 4:2-4). Then Jesus declared that whoever hears him and keeps his word will never see death (John 8:51). However, Jesus wasn’t speaking of physical death, and neither was God in Genesis 2:16-17. Both Jesus in John 8 and the Lord in Genesis 2 spoke of the same death. Paul discusses this death in Ephesians 2:1-8. Death, according to Jesus, is the opposite of life in the Kingdom of God. Those who are in the flesh (in death) are unable to perceive the Kingdom, unless they repent and are born again (John 3:3). Nevertheless, because these authorities made their abode in death, they were unable to hear the voice of God (John 6:44-45). In order to hear or understand God’s word or to hear and understand Jesus’ words (cp John 8:43), one must repent of one’s love for darkness (John 3:19) and become born again (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:4-5).
Once again, the Jewish authorities took Jesus’ words at face value, not understanding their spiritual significance. Abraham lived long ago and was now dead, so they took Jesus’ words to mean, Abraham should be alive today, if Jesus was correct. Therefore, they concluded, once more, that Jesus had a demon (John 8:52). Then they asked Jesus, if he were greater than Abraham and the prophets, all of whom were dead. ‘Just who do you think you are’ (John 8:53)?
Although their intent was obviously evil, Jesus replied forthrightly and in all seriousness. Pointing to his miracles, Jesus claimed they were not due to his power, but rather the power of his Father, concerning whom the Jews claimed to be God (John 8:54). Moreover, those miracles which the Father did through him, honor Jesus, and prove to all that he is the Messiah, whom he claimed to be. Although they claimed they knew God, they lied, and the proof of this is that they neither acted like God nor received his word through the Messenger, whom he sent (John 5:43; 7:28-29; 8:42-43). Yet, Jesus also claimed to know God, but to deny knowing him in the face of danger would mean Jesus was a liar, just as they showed themselves to be (John 8:55).
Then, Jesus claimed said Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus’ day (John 8:56), because in seeing it (Genesis 21:33), he was able to obey the Lord’s request to sacrifice Isaac, his only son (Genesis 22:8). Abraham enjoyed spiritual life (cp. 1Peter 1:10-11), and was able to hear the voice of God (John 6:44-45). So, in the context of John 8:53, Abraham never knew death, vis-à-vis darkness/spiritual blindness (cp. John 3:19). In other words, he was aware of spiritual matters (John 3:3), because he trusted God spoke to him (Genesis 21:33) and would give him back his son, Isaac, from the grave (Genesis 22:8; Hebrews 11:17-19).
Whether they ignored the spirit of Jesus’ word about Abraham seeing his day, or they simply didn’t understand is difficult to say, for Abraham, being a prophet, probably saw Jesus’ day in his vision of the God of the ages (Genesis 21:33). Nevertheless, they took Jesus word at face value, once again, saying that Jesus, although he was a young man, believed himself old enough to have seen Abraham (John 8:57). Characteristically, however, Jesus simply replied to their question: “Before Abraham was, vis-à-vis before Abraham came to exist, I AM!” (John 8:58; cp. Exodus 3:14; John 5:18). While there is some controversy over the meaning of the Greek translated “I am,” as to it referring to the Tetragrammaton or simply that Jesus existed before Abraham was even born, it is clear that the Jewish authorities interpreted his claim to be blasphemous and worthy of death (John 8:59). So, Jesus simply left the Temple and hid from them. Whatever one makes of the Greek, the point is moot, because the Jewish authorities understood Jesus to have claimed he was God.
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