promised to him); =and he has seen it and was glad=. There is some difficulty in the interpretation of this passage, to which I have given a literal translation. Some scholars regard it as wholly prophetical, “Abraham rejoiced in anticipation of Christ’s advent;” others as historical but typical, “He rejoiced, seeing in the birth of Isaac a type of the advent of the Messiah,” and they even suppose that Christ refers to Abraham’s laughter (Gen. 17:17); still others interpret it as partly prophetic and partly historical, “He rejoiced in anticipation of the promised advent; he has since seen it from his home in paradise, and was glad.” The latter view seems to me best to accord with the original and with the context. So Godet, Meyer, Alford. For a statement of different views, see _Meyer_. The declaration is responsive to the question, Art thou greater than our father Abraham? The answer is, Your father Abraham rejoiced because he was promised that he should see my advent, and the realization of his hope has given him new joy in the heavenly kingdom. If this interpretation be correct, the language incidentally confirms the doctrine that the saints in heaven are cognizant of what passes upon earth. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was, I[356] am. [356] ch. 1:1, 2; Exod. 3:14; Isa. 43:13; Col. 1:17; Rev. 1:8. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.