Understanding John 8:40: A Reflection on the Dual Nature of Jesus Christ, with Rafael Arevalo

Before Abraham was, "I AM"

Does John 8:40 say Christ is not God?

Let's look at John 8:40 and its context to understand the message better. And by the way, Most of our INC Friends didn't take their scriptures seriously, most of the time they used just some few Cherry picked verses to recognize their doctrine that never align in easy Church History Standards.

John 8:40 reads -

 

"But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham."

Christ is responding to the Pharisees who are contending His instruction and have chosen to question His authority in this particular verse. When Jesus mentions “man”, he is also using the term in the sense of his acknowledgement of His humanity. Remember that He is fully God as well as fully man, a statement that is true about Christianity called Hypostatic Union.

His statement does not mean He denies His divinity in John 8:40, on the contrary, he places emphasis on His incarnation; the truth of Him assuming human likeness so that He can teach, suffer, and create the means for salvation through His atoning sacrifice. Also, in the entire Gospel of John, He is portrayed affirming His divine nature multiple times, particularly in the statements commencing with “I am” as God identifies himself in Exodus 3:14.

Looking at the rest of John 8, Jesus is having yet another intricate and usually adversarial discourse with Jewish leaders, more specifically Pharisees, in the time period in question. It goes without saying this is important when looking into trying to understand Jesus the man and God and His duality.

John 8 - What was this all about?
So, John 8. This isn’t just another chapter where Jesus hands out spiritual advice and everyone nods politely. Nope, it’s basically a theological street fight. Jesus is tossing out these huge, mind-bending statements about who He is—and, let’s be real, He’s not exactly whispering. For example in verse 12, He just announces, “I am the light of the world.” Like, that’s not just a poetic line. For folks back then, “light” meant guidance, hope, truth—the big stuff. He’s basically saying, “If you want to find your way in this world or the next, you need Me.” That’s a claim that would make any religious leader’s jaw drop. 

Now, enter the Pharisees. These guys… well, if there was a gold medal for legalism, they’d be standing on the podium, hands down. They’re all about the Law—every letter, every comma, every tiny ceremonial detail. So, when Jesus starts making these claims about Himself, they’re immediately on defense. They question His authority, His background, even His sanity. And honestly, who can blame them? To them, Jesus is just some upstart from Nazareth, not exactly the Messiah résumé they were expecting.

But Jesus? He doesn’t flinch. He answers them right back, sometimes with a question that flips their logic, sometimes with a statement that’s even more outrageous than the last. And then comes John 8:58, which is like the spiritual equivalent of dropping dynamite in the temple: “Before Abraham was, I am.” It’s not just that He’s old; He’s saying He’s eternal, like “I’m the same ‘I Am’ that spoke to Moses from the burning bush.” That’s the name God Himself used. In their eyes, that’s not just blasphemy—it’s grounds for stoning.

And the accusations keep flying. The Pharisees and other leaders are basically grilling Jesus, trying to catch Him out, prove He’s a fraud. But He keeps circling back to this core claim: that He’s sent by the Father, that He and the Father are united in purpose and nature. He’s not just some gifted speaker or miracle-worker—He’s saying He’s God in the flesh. No wonder the whole place feels like it’s about to explode.

If you’re looking at this through a Latter-day Saint lens, all of this is massive. The whole doctrine about Jesus being both fully divine and fully human? It’s right here. It’s the reason the Atonement is so powerful—He understands every struggle, every temptation, every pain, because He’s lived it. But at the same time, He’s got the authority and the power to actually save us. No other figure in history even comes close to making these kinds of claims and backing them up. The Gospel of John is basically a multi-chapter mic drop on the divinity of Christ, and John 8 is one of the loudest moments.

Let’s talk audience for a second. You’ve got the Pharisees, who are kind of like the spiritual police. Their whole deal is keeping Israel pure by following every little rule in the book. They believe in the afterlife, resurrection, angels, all that, which made them a bit different from the Sadducees, who were more like the ancient equivalent of ultra-rationalists—none of that supernatural stuff for them. The Pharisees also love tradition, especially the oral stuff passed down from the elders. So, this whole idea of Jesus going off-script? That’s a big nope from them.

But it’s not just the Pharisees. The temple’s crowded. You’ve got regular folks from all walks of life—merchants, laborers, maybe a few Roman soldiers peeking in, you never know. Most of these folks are looking for hope, maybe a Messiah who’ll kick the Romans out and bring back the glory days. The idea that God would show up in human form? That’s next-level weird for them. Strict monotheism is the foundation of everything they believe, so Jesus talking like He’s on equal footing with God? That’s a serious line to take.

So, what was this all about? John 8 is like a powerful spiritual tension. Jesus is pushing boundaries, making statements that force everyone—Pharisees, regular folks, even His own followers—to figure out where they stand. It’s not just an ancient argument; it’s the kind of thing that still sparks debates today. And honestly, it’s one of those moments that shows why Jesus wasn’t just another teacher or prophet. He claimed to be so much more, and everyone there had to decide whether to believe Him or try to shut Him up.

And in Summary, At the end of the day, the drama in John 8 isn’t just religious history. It’s the moment where Jesus draws a line in the sand—literally and figuratively—and says, “You’ve got to choose: who do you think I am?” And that question hasn’t gone away, not for any of us.

Why did he said "A man"?
In John 8:40, when Jesus says, "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God," it's essential to consider the context and the dual nature of Jesus Christ as both divine and human. Here are a few reasons why Jesus might have emphasized His humanity in this statement:

1. Affirmation of His Humanity. Jesus was born as a mortal man, and part of His earthly mission was to experience life as humans do, including suffering, temptation, and pain. By identifying Himself as a man, He affirms His solidarity with the human condition, highlighting that He truly understands our struggles and can empathize with us.
2. Emphasis on His Role as a Messenger. By stating that He is a man who has told the truth heard from God, Jesus emphasizes His role as the Messiah and a prophet, sent by God to teach, guide, and ultimately provide a way for salvation through His atonement. This role required Him to be both divine (to atone for sins) and human (to experience mortality).
3. Counteracting Misunderstandings. In the broader dialogue with the Pharisees, Jesus frequently needed to clarify His identity and mission. By referring to Himself as a man in this context, He might be addressing potential misunderstandings or misrepresentations about His claims, ensuring that His listeners understand that His teachings are not His own but are messages from God.
4. Defusing Accusations. At this point in the Gospel of John, the Pharisees were seeking ways to accuse and discredit Jesus. By presenting Himself as a man who speaks God's truth, Jesus highlights the irrationality and injustice of their efforts to kill Him, thus pointing out their inconsistency with the Law and the prophets they claim to follow.
5. Establishing Credibility. Identifying Himself in human terms could also make His message more accessible and credible to His audience, many of whom might find it easier to initially accept teachings from a "man" rather than claims of direct divinity which could be more challenging to grasp or accept immediately.

In LDS theology, acknowledging both the divine and human aspects of Jesus Christ is crucial. His divinity makes the Atonement effective, and His humanity makes His empathy and sacrifice deeply personal and relatable.

Does it said about his divinity or about his human nature?

In the original Greek text of John 8:40, the emphasis is predominantly on Jesus' human nature, as He identifies Himself explicitly as "a man" (ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos). This term is commonly used in Greek to refer to a human being, highlighting His humanity. The mention of His divinity in this specific verse is more implied through His relationship with God, from whom He has heard the truth. Thus, in this verse, while the focus is more on His human nature, His divine aspect is subtly indicated by His unique communication and relationship with God.

Biblical Context

John 8:40 is situated in a passage where Jesus is engaged in a heated dialogue with the Jews. The discussion revolves around His teachings and His claim of being the light of the world. In the face of mounting opposition and skepticism about His claims, Jesus uses this moment not only to affirm His human nature but also to subtly imply His divinity.

The Human Nature of Jesus

In this verse, Jesus directly addresses His human nature by stating, "But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God". The Greek word used here for "man" is ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), which straightforwardly refers to a human being. This acknowledgment serves a crucial purpose—it connects Him with His audience on a human level and highlights His incarnation. This declaration is essential for establishing His credibility and relatability; He is not an abstract deity but a real, tangible person sharing in the earthly experiences of those around Him.

The Implied Divinity

While the explicit focus of John 8:40 is on Jesus' humanity, the divine aspect shines through the very nature of His statement. By asserting that He has "heard from God," Jesus sets Himself apart from ordinary prophets. Prophets typically declare "thus says the Lord," reflecting a message received from God. In contrast, Jesus speaks of direct audial reception from God, indicating a unique, personal relationship with the Divine. This not only hints at His divine nature but escalates Him above the role of a mere messenger to that of the Son, uniquely privy to God's voice in a familial sense.

Theological Significance

The duality of Jesus' nature as highlighted in John 8:40 is a cornerstone for Christian theology. The doctrine of the Hypostatic Union explains this as the concept of Jesus Christ being both fully God and fully man. This union is mysterious and profound, forming the basis of many doctrinal teachings about redemption, atonement, and reconciliation. As a man, Jesus could truly represent humanity; as God, He could enact a perfect and complete salvation.

Conclusion

The exploration of John 8:40 reveals the intricate dance between the divine and the human in the person of Jesus Christ. This verse challenges believers to recognize and reflect on the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God stepping into history as a man not only to teach but to transform. In this recognition, Christians find the basis for their faith, the assurance of their salvation, and a model for their own lives in relation to God and each other.

This reflection on John 8:40 provides a glimpse into the complex, yet beautiful nature of Jesus, urging believers to delve deeper into understanding and appreciating the fullness of His being—both divine and human.

And for additional resources, I compiled a contextual summary of John 8 for you to study -

John 8 is a compelling chapter in the New Testament, filled with teachings, confrontation, and insights into Jesus Christ’s identity and mission.

Opening: woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Jesus is teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees bring to him a woman accused of this sin, attempting to test Him to see whether He will contradict the Law of Moses which prescribed stoning for such an offense. In response, Jesus challenges them with the famous line, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). As her accusers depart one by one, Jesus addresses the woman, neither condemning her nor ignoring her sin, telling her, "Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11), emphasizing forgiveness and repentance.

Proclamation: Following this, Jesus proclaims Himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12), promising eternal life to those who follow Him, drawing a stark contrast between spiritual blindness and enlightenment. The Pharisees dispute His testimony, leading to a profound theological dialogue about Jesus’s authority and relationship with God the Father. He underscores the validity of His testimony, backed by His Father (John 8:14-18).

Opposition: Tensions escalate as Jesus speaks more directly about His heavenly origin and destiny, discussing His return to the Father and the Pharisees’ inability to follow (John 8:21-30). The conversation then shifts to a broader theological discourse about Abraham and the lineage of the Pharisees. Jesus challenges their claims of being Abraham’s children by pointing out their failure to act as Abraham did, aspiring instead to kill Him, a man revealing the truth He received from God (John 8:37-40).

Christ's Existence with the Father: The discourse reaches a climax when Jesus asserts, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), echoing God’s self-identification in the Old Testament and claiming divinity, which incites the Pharisees to attempt to stone Him, though He miraculously escapes (John 8:59).

Structurally, John 8 intricately weaves themes of sin, forgiveness, truth, and identity, portraying Jesus as the divine bringer of light and life, while also exposing the spiritual blindness and hostility He faced from the religious leaders of the time. This chapter is critical for understanding the nature of Jesus’ ministry and His challenge to both societal norms and religious orthodoxy.