Charles Ellicott Commentary John 8:56

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad." — John 8:56 (ASV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day.—They had asked in scorn if He were greater than their father Abraham (John 8:53). His words have shown that He was. He now, with the thoughts of John 8:39 still present, contrasts the exultation of him whom they claimed as father, when he saw from afar the Messianic advent, with their rejection of the Messiah who is actually among them. Abraham realized the fullness of the promises made to him, and believed in the Lord that the blessing should be fulfilled to his seed. He, too, had kept God’s word, and in the true sense had not seen death (Genesis 22:18). The words, “My day,” are used, as in Luke 17:22, for the manifestation of Christ on earth.

And he saw it, and was glad.—This is the historic fulfillment of the joy which looked forward to the day of Christ. Our Lord reveals here a truth of the unseen world that is beyond human knowledge or explanation. From that world Abraham was cognizant of the fact of the Incarnation and saw in it the accomplishment of the promise which had brought joy to shepherds watching their flocks, as the Patriarch had watched his. An angel came, as angels had come to him, and a multitude of the heavenly host, exulting in the good news to men.

Abraham shared in that joy. This truth comes as a ray of light across the abyss which separates the saints in heaven from saints on earth. As in the parable where Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom and the rich man is represented as knowing and caring for his brothers on earth, so here the great Patriarch is spoken of as knowing and rejoicing in the fact of the Incarnation. Reason cannot explain how this is, but faith can receive the truth that there is a “communion of saints,” and finds in it a comfort that robs separation of its bitterness, and a power that strengthens all the motives for a holy and devoted life (Hebrews 12:1).