John 8:51

51 In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death."

John 8:51 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:51

Verily, verily, I say unto you
This is truth, and may be depended upon, as coming from the "Amen", and faithful witness:

if a man keep my saying;
or doctrine, receives the Gospel in the love of it, obeys it from his heart, and cordially embraces and firmly believes it; and retains and holds it fast, having a spiritual and comfortable experience of the doctrines of Christ, and yielding a cheerful and ready obedience to his commands and ordinances, in faith and love:

he shall never see death;
the second death, eternal death, which is an everlasting separation of a man, body and soul, from God: this death shall have no power on such a person, he shall never be hurt by it; and though he dies a corporeal death, that shall not be a curse, a penal evil to him; nor shall he always lie under the power of it, but shall rise again, and live in soul and body, for ever with the Lord: seeing and tasting death, as in ( John 8:52 ) , are Hebraisms expressive of dying.

John 8:51 In-Context

49 "I am not possessed by a demon," replied Jesus. "On the contrary I honour my Father, and you dishonour me.

50 I, however, am not aiming at glory for myself: there is One who aims at glory for me--and who judges.

51 In most solemn truth I tell you that if any one shall have obeyed my teaching he shall in no case ever see death."

52 "Now," exclaimed the Jews, "we know that you are possessed by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the Prophets, and yet *you* say, `If any one shall have obeyed my teaching, he shall in no case ever taste death.'

53 Are you really greater than our forefather Abraham? For he died. And the prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"