Bible Strands
John 8:56
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a group of Jews who have just questioned His authority and knowledge of God. He makes this declaration immediately after affirming His unique relationship with the Father and before they object that He is not yet fifty years old.
The words — ἠγαλλιάσατο (ēgalliasato) translates to "rejoiced," and ἵνα ἴδῃ (hina idē) means "that he might see." The text states Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of seeing Jesus' day and was glad when he saw it.
The thread — The motif of patriarchs perceiving future promises appears in Hebrews 11:13, where believers died in faith without receiving what was promised yet welcomed it. The blessing promised through Abraham's offspring in Genesis 22:18 and the identification of faith-based descendants in Galatians 3:7 extend this ancestral line.
Why it lands — The text asserts that Jesus' mission fulfills the ancient promise given to Abraham. It requires a reader to acknowledge that divine revelation operates outside human chronology and that spiritual recognition precedes physical sight.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
- Genesis 22:18 And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
- Galatians 3:7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.
- Matthew 13:17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
- John 8:39 “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.
- Luke 10:24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
- 1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
- Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
- Luke 2:28 Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
- John 8:37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.