Thursday, May 23, 2024

John Paul Heil on εγω ειμι in John 18

  

The reply of Jesus, “I am he,” or more literally, “I am” (εγω ειμι, 18:5), not only identifies him as the Nazorean but resonates with all his previous “I am” predications, especially with his absolute statements that “I am.” Believing in Jesus as “I am” means believing in him as the revealer of the Father, who offers believers life. Jesus told his Jewish adversaries that they would “die” in their sins if they do not “believe” that “I am” (8:24). When they lift up Jesus as the Son of Man in crucifixion, then they will know that “I am,” that Jesus does nothing of his own, but says or reveals only what the Father taught him (8:28). Jesus knows the Father and keeps his word, for as he tells the Jews, “Before Abraham came to be, I am” (8:57). He told his disciples about his betrayal (13:18) before it happened, so that when it happened they might believe that “I am” (13:19). In replying “I am,” and surrendering himself to his opponents as the Nazoreans to be put to death, Jesus is ironically giving them, his disciples, and the audience and opportunity to believe in him as “I am,” the one who reveals the Father and gives Life.

 

The parenthetical note that “Judas his betrayer was also standing with them” (18:5) indicates his continuing unbelief despite this opportunity to believe in Jesus as “I am.” Indeed, Judas has completed his separation from Jesus and his disciples. He is no longer “with his disciples” (μετα των μαθητων αυτου, 18:2) but has now associated himself “with them” (μεταυτων) his fellow opponents, who along with Judas represent the powers of evil and unbelief.

 

The emphatic expression “they withdrew backwards” (απηλθον εις τα οπισω) when Jesus pronounced his powerful “I am” (18:6) underlines the unbelief of Judas, the Roman soldiers, and the Jewish officers. Earlier, when many of his disciples “murmured” and were scandalized (6:60-61) by Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse (6:22-59), he declared that “there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning those who would not believe and who would betray him (6:64). Coming to him in faith must be granted by the Father (6:65). Many of his disciples then confirmed the words of Jesus and demonstrated their unbelief as “they withdrew backwards” (απηλθον εις τα οπισω) and no longer went around with him (6:66).

 

That his opponents “withdrew backwards and fell to the ground” (18:6) at the “I am” of Jesus illustrates his superior power and points to his ultimate victory over the large group of evil forces who have come with weapons to arrest him and lead him to death. This brings the irony of this unit (18:4-6) to a climax. By his “I am” Jesus both surrendered himself and revealed his profound identity as the revealer of God. Although this resulted not in belief but in emphatic unbelief, it assures the audience that Jesus rather than his evil, unbelieving adversaries is in ultimate control. (John Paul Heil, Blood and Water: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus in John 18-21 [The Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series 27; The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 1995; repr., Eugene, Oreg.: Pickwick Publications, 2023], 21-22)