Who did Christ claim to be?

John 8:12-30 (KJV)

12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  13  The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.  14  Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.  15  Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.  16  And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.  17  It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.  18  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.  19  Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.  20  These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.  21  Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.  22  Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.  23  And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.  24  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He**, ye shall die in your sins.
25  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  26  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.  27  They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.  28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  30  As he spake these words, many believed on him.

**literal translation is I AM (not I am He) 

John 8:48-59 (KJV)

48  Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?  49  Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.  50  And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51  Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.  52  Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.  53  Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?  54  Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:  55  Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.  56  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
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 am.  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.