John 8:58 – Various English Translations that Recognize Jesus Did Not Say “I AM”
A deeper look at John 8:58
Trinitarian critics of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, often take issue with the verse recorded at John 8:58, which reads…
John 8:58 “Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.””
In translations that they prefer, it has Jesus saying “I AM” instead of “I have been”, and they mistakenly claim that Jesus was claiming to be the God of the Old Testament who says “I am that I am” at Exodus 3:14 according to the same translations (which is also incorrect). The charge is that the New World Translation is unique in that it renders the passage in a way that suits our belief that the trinity doctrine is a false teaching. But is the New World Translation really unique in this regard?
The answer is No. (more…)