John 8:52- The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If any one keeps my word, he will never taste death.’
53- Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you claim to be?”
54- Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God.
55- But you have not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word.
56- Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57- The Jews then said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
58- Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
"ego eimi"- translated here in MOST translations as "I am"- a HEBREW name God only ONCE referred to Himself as just before telling the Jews His REAL name!
Jesus never claimed to be "I AM" (Ex 3, John 8:58), and just thought I'd check an Interlinear, out of curiosity... Man- do I regret not doing that SOONER!
I found that the two Greek Words translated in EVERY TRANSLATION as "I AM" are used FREQUENTLY in the 'New Testament'- and NEVER as that ancient Symbolic Hebrew Name God used once- "I am ".
Examples of how that phrase is rendered in all other scriptures- (any interlinear will quickly show you)- "I am, I have, I was, it is I, we have, existed", and may more variations.
What complete, and utter deception!
God used that symbolic Name (I AM) only ONE time, then stated what His REAL Name is.
It has never been used since.
So, Jesus REALY said “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I existed or have been.”