steve
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was born, I am."
Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.
I known my study Bible at home links the two references. I'm not sure what the basis is for the link.
Question: What was Jesus claiming here? Certainly, He was claiming to be more than just a man. A strict literal interpretation would be that He existed before Abraham.
I'll look into it a little more tonight. You're right that it doesn't appear to us to be an overt reference to deity, but perhaps it was to the Jews he was speaking with. Certainly, it is an extraordinary claim. If you go further back in the text -- just the claim to that he was personally aware that Abraham had rejoiced to see His day. =>Knowledge of Abraham's person or soul after he had passed from this life.
I've got something else I want to discuss with you -- will post after I get home. Thanks for responding about the other item, also. |
