Great I Am

 The parts of speech in John 8:58, in the original Greek, are as follows:

• Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν (amēn amēn): Hebrew adverb, translated as "Truly, truly" or "Verily, verily".
• λέγω (legō): Verb, meaning "I say".
• ὑμῖν (hymin): Pronoun, meaning "to you" (plural).
• πρὶν (prin): Adverb, meaning "before".
Ἀβραὰμ (abraam): Proper noun, Abraham.γενέσθαι (genesthai): Verb (aorist infinitive), meaning "to become," "come into existence," or "was born".ἐγὼ (egō): Pronoun, meaning "I." It is used emphatically in this context.εἰμί (eimi): Verb (present indicative), meaning "I am," "I exist". 

Grammatical Significance

The grammatical construction of this verse is highly significant for its theological meaning:

• "Before Abraham was born, I am": This statement contrasts the verb tenses. The aorist infinitive (genesthai) is used for Abraham, which describes a specific past event ("was born" or "came into being"). In contrast, the present tense verb (eimi) is used for Jesus ("I am"), which denotes continuous, unending existence.
• Echoes Exodus 3:14: By saying egō eimi ("I am") in an emphatic manner, Jesus evokes the divine name "I AM THAT I AM," revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. This was Jesus's claim to eternal pre-existence and deity.
• Reaction of the Jewish leaders: The Jewish leaders understood the meaning of Jesus's words as blasphemy. They immediately picked up stones to kill him, as described in John 8:59. Their reaction confirms they interpreted Jesus's statement as a claim of divine status.