Who did Jesus say He was?

The Gospel of John is quite different from those written by Mark, Matthew, and Luke commonly referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because their biographical portrayal of Jesus focuses more on His humanity. John’s Jesus is much more majestic, His divinity, nor is His destiny is never in doubt. John shows us that Jesus is unique, the only being that is true God and true man, able to fully reveal God to humanity

In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus is called “Christ”, “Messiah”, “Lord (Sir and Master are implied), “Savior”, “Rabbi (Raboni)”, “Teacher”, “Son of God”, “Son of Man”, “Son of David’, “King of the Jews”, and “King of Israel”.

John uses these terms, but introduces six new terms, all of which emphasize Jesus’ divinity and destiny. John’s Jesus is called “Logos”, “Only-Begotten Son of God”, “One who Comes from Above” (or sent from above), “Lamb of God” (Passover Lamb), “Equal to God”, and “I AM”.

It is this last “name of Jesus” that interests me. John used the Greek term “eimi” 45 times, of those he wrote “ego eimi”, I AM, 24 times. The bold passages indicate where the pronoun “I” is used with the verb “AM”. A special thanks to Rev. Felix Just, S.J., who provided this list showing the passages.

John 4:26; 6:20; 6:35; 6:41; 6:48; 6:51; 7:28; 7:29; 7:33; 7:34; 7:36; 8:12; 8:16; 8:18; 8:23 (twice); 8:24; 8:28; 8:58; 9:5; 10:7; 10:9; 10:11; 10:14; 10:36; 11:25; 12:26; 13:13; 13:19; 13:33; 14:3; 14:6; 14:9; 15:1; 15:5; 16:32; 17:11; 17:14; 17:16; 17:24; 18:5; 18:6; 18:8; 18:37; 19:21

This 10 part series will focus on 9 symbolic “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John. While there are many more passages where Jesus makes a personal claim, these nine symbolically illustrate who He says He is.

1	6:35, 41, 48, 51	I AM the Bread of Life
2	8:12; 9:5	I AM the Light of the World
3	10:7, 9	I AM the Gatekeeper
4	10:11, 14	I AM the Good Shepherd
5	11:25	I AM the Resurrection and Life
6	14:6	I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
7	15:1, 5	I AM the Vine my Father is the Gardner/You are the Branches

Sources:

Bergant, Dianne C.S.A., and Robert J. O.F.M Karris. The Collegeville Bible Commentary. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1986.
Brown, Raymond D. S.S., Joseph A, S.J. Fitzymer, and Roland E, O. Carm. Murphy, . The Jerome Biblical Commentary. Vol. I and II. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1968.
Hunt, Michal. "The 7 Symbolic "I Am" Metaphors of John's Gospel." Agape Catholic Bible Study. AgapeBibleStudy.com, 2007. Web. 21 June 2015. <http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/charts/Seven%20Days%20and%20Seven%20I%20AMs%20in%20John's%20Gospel.html>.
Just, Rev. Felix, Ph. D. "Christology in the Fourth Gospel." Catholic Resources for Bible, Liturgy, Art, and Theology. Felix Just, S. J., 8 July 2013. Web. 21 June 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fcatholic-resources.org%2FJohn%2FThemes-Christology.htm>.
Just, Rev. Felix, Ph. D. "I AM" Sayings in the Fourth Gospel." Catholic Resources for Bible, Liturgy, Art, and Theology. Felix Just, S. J., 11 July 2012. Web. 12 June 2015. <http://catholic-resources.org/John/Themes-IAM.htm>.
Lewis, Scott M. The Gospel According to John and the Johannine Letters. Collegeville, MI: Liturgical, 2005. Print.
Martin, Francis. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015. Print.
Mays, James L., et al., . Harper's Bible Commentary. New York City, New York: Harper San Francisco: a Divison of Harper Collins Publishers, 1988.
Wilson, Neil S., and Linda K. Taylor. Handbook of Bible Charts & Maps. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2001.

Comments

Harry Potter Myers-Briggs Chart [infographic]

I AM the Good Shepherd Keeping the Sheep Gate

“I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture… I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (RSV-CE Jn. 10:7,9,11,14) Chapter 10 begins what is known as the “Shepherd Discourse”. John does not transition into this, instead he abruptly begins. In John’s Gospel, this discourse marks a transition. The conspiracy and planned violence against Jesus intensifies. In this post I will address two self-naming statements of Jesus, “I am the Gatekeeper” and “I am the Good Shepherd”. Unlike the previous statements, these two appear in the same chapter and are directly related. In this discourse the meaning is...

Do you suffer from test anxiety?

Test anxiety is a common problem for many students. Here are some things that can be done to reduce anxiety. Ask for help . Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better. Describe what happens to you when you're taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions. Be prepared . Pay attention in class. Do your homework. Study for the test. On test day, you're more likely to feel like you know the material . Expect the best . Once you have prepared, think positively. Say to yourself, "I studied and I'm ready to do my best." Block bad thoughts. Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test ("I'm no good at taking tests" or "I'm going to freak out if I get a bad grade"). These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well on the test . Accept mistakes . Everyone makes mistakes. Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prep...

Revelation, Its About My Now

The last of the four schools of interpreting John’s Book of Revelation is the spiritualist view. Spiritualistic interpretation is a relatively new theory that tends to over emphasize symbolism. The spiritualist believes that the book focuses on the struggles of all Christians in any age, not specifically the original readers, the past, or future. Revelation is intended to inspire Christians being persecuted. The spiritualist argues that looking for meaning in the past and constructing meaning is a future forward view is guesswork at best. Any attempt at a literal interpretation is absurd. Furthermore, any attempt to find such meaning may conflict with the spiritual meaning for which the spiritualist is searching. This type of reading is inspirational, except it does ignore the fact that John’s book is written as a letter to be publicly read. John wrote and sent this letter to seven specific Churches. John also stressed t...

I AM the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. " (John 8:12) Light is a powerful symbol and practical necessity. Without it, we wouldn’t have night time events. In chapter 8, Jesus is teaching in Jerusalem during the feast of Tabernacles. Large lamp stands were placed in the Temple Court to illuminate the way for pilgrims. Light takes on a symbolic and theological image in this context as well. We understand light as a reference to the darkness of sin, “ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it .” (1:4-5) Looking further into chapter 9, we see that light is more appropriately juxtaposed with blindness. Those who are confident in their own “light” (idea that they possess the wisdom to turn from darkness” are blind. Jesus is the light...

in the front seat

Search