What did Jesus mean when He said, "I AM"?

from the old testament

• Moses asked God what His name was, so he could tell the Israelites who sent him to rescue them. God replied, “I AM WHO I AM… Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). Using a word based on a being verb, God was saying that He is self-existent and eternal. His existence is not dependent on anyone or anything else.

from the new testament

• Jesus utilized “I am” statements in at least two distinct ways. The first way is found in seven statements that begin with “I am,” where Jesus taught something about Himself. They are John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:9; John 10:11; John 11:25; John 14:6; and John 15:1. In each of these, Jesus was teaching something about Himself, including being the One who satisfies (bread of life); the giver of life (light); the entry into salvation (gate/door); the One who dies for us (good shepherd); the only Savior (the resurrection, life, the way, truth, and life); and the true (real, legitimate) vine. In every case, Jesus was showing how He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah.
• Some have also suggested that in those statements, the other use of “I am” can be seen, meaning that Jesus was also alluding to His divinity. While this is entirely plausible given Jesus’ clear claims to divinity elsewhere, as well as the immediate context where Jesus was describing His saving work, it is better to look at His other, less ambiguous “I am” statements to support that.
• Perhaps the clearest declaration was made when He was challenged by the Jewish leaders. He claimed that He brought eternal life (John 8:51) and that God was His Father (John 8:54). They were incredulous, saying, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" (John 8:52–53). Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). Notice that while He spoke about Abraham in the past tense, He spoke about Himself existing “back then” in the present tense. The Jews immediately recognized that He was using “I am” the same way the Lord used “I AM” in Exodus 3:14. That is, He was claiming to be God. Because of that, they intended to kill Him right then and there for blasphemy (John 8:59).
• Another example of a divine reference happened at His arrest. Soldiers arrived looking for Jesus. We read, “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’” (John 18:4–5a). Jesus replied, “I am he” (John 18:5b). English translations have added the word “he,” but Jesus simply said, “I am.” We know it was a reference to His divinity because, as soon as He said it, the soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). Something about Jesus’ statement either invoked incredible fear or an unseen spiritual force, causing the battle-hardened soldiers to all fall down around Him.
• In addition to those two clear examples, John 8:24, 28, and 13:13 also show how English translators added “he” when Jesus simply said, “I am,” which may also be references to divinity. Still, even if they weren't, the context of the previous two passages and how those around Him responded indicate they understood He was claiming divinity. John recorded that “This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).
• In summary, Jesus used the “I am” statements to both identify Himself as the promised Messiah and to directly claim divinity.

implications for today

When Jesus said, “I AM,” He claimed the very name of God as revealed to Moses, showing that He is fully divine. This means He has no beginning or end, all authority belongs to Him, and His word is completely trustworthy. Yet the wonder of the gospel is that the eternal God also became man. He entered our world, lived among us, and experienced human weakness while remaining without sin. Only by being truly human could He stand in our place, and only by being truly God could His sacrifice have infinite value.

On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment our sins deserve, dying the death we could not escape. In His resurrection, He defeated death and proved that salvation is found in Him alone. To understand that the great “I AM” became flesh is to see both God’s majesty and mercy—He is holy and eternal, yet He humbled Himself, so we could be forgiven and restored.

Please know that you cannot save yourself because sin has left you guilty before a holy God. But Jesus has already done what you never could. He lived a perfect life in your place and then offered Himself on the cross as the sacrifice that fully paid sin’s penalty. On the third day, He rose again, breaking the power of death and opening the way to eternal life. To receive salvation, you must turn from your sins and trust Him—believing that His death was for you and that His resurrection guarantees your hope. If you believe, you are forgiven, reconciled to God, and given everlasting life in Him. The eternal “I AM” calls you to trust Him today and find life in His name.