John 8 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

8:24 I am. Jesus echoes God’s great affirmation about himself (see v. 58; 6:35; Ex 3:13–15 and notes).

8:28 lifted up. Normally used in the NT in the sense of “exalt,” but John uses it of the crucifixion (see 3:14; 12:32 and note). Son of Man. See note on Mk 8:31. I am. See notes on vv. 24, 58.

8:56 my day. All that was involved in the incarnation. Jesus probably was not referring to any one occasion but to Abraham’s general joy in the fulfilling of the purposes of God in the Messiah, by which all nations on earth would receive blessing (see note on Ge 12:2–3). he saw it. In faith, from afar.

8:58 I am! A solemnly emphatic declaration echoing God’s great affirmations in Ex 3:14 (see vv. 24, 28; see also note on 6:35). Jesus did not say “I was” but “I am,” expressing the eternity of his being and his oneness with the Father (see 1:1). With this climactic statement Jesus concludes his speech that began with the related claim, “I am the light of the world” (v. 12).

8:59 to stone him. Those who heard Jesus could not interpret his claim as other than blasphemy, for which stoning was the proper penalty (Lev 24:16).