"I am" 

Editor's Note: In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes numerous declarations about himself; these are often referred to as his "I am" statements. These are presented below, beginning with his divine self-acclimation: 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”  (Jn. 8:58)

Traditional 7 "I am" statements: 

• “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.... Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life. (Jn. 6: 35, 47-8)

• “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (Jn. 8:12)

• “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (Jn. 10:8-9)

• "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." (Jn. 10:11-15)

• “I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn: 11:25)

• "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn. 14:16)

• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit... I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:1-2, 5)

Other Self-Acclamations:

• The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”  Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” (Jn. 4:26)

• “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me." (Jn. 8:28)