Original scientific paper
Jesus’ Self-presenting – Theophanic »I am He/It is I« in Mk 6:50; Mt 14:27; Jn 6:20; 18:5-6
Ivica Čatić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2293-0917
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Đakovo, Croatia
Ivan Andelfinger
orcid.org/0000-0001-6275-6995
; Primary School Ivane Brlić-Mažuranić, Orahovica, Croatia
Abstract
The authors analyze Jesus’ ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi) expressions spoken during his walk on the sea (Mk 6:50; Mt 14:27; Jn 6:20), and during the arrest in the garden of Gethsemane (cf. Jn 18:5-6). While in the biblical Greek there is only one form of the expression ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi), in the Croatian language, there are two different translations with a similar meaning: »Ja sam« (unstressed form) and »Ja jesam« (stressed form). The verb form ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi), which we find in Mk 6:50; Mt 14:27; Jn 6:20; 18:5-6, and which we translate into the Croatian language in the unstressed form (»Ja sam«), has dual function in the sentence: the self-presenting function, where Jesus presents himself to his interlocutors in the same way as any other person; and the Old Testament theophanic function, where the revelation words and actions, which once in the history of Israel were said and done by the Lord, are now manifested in Jesus: that which was done in the Old Testament by the Father, in the New Testament is done by the Son. Jesus’ ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi) formula with the double meaning points us to the holy name of God »I am« (cf. Ex 3:14; Hos 1:9; Deut 32:39; Isa 41:4; 43:10/13/25; 45:18-19; 46:4, 48:12; 51:12; 52:6), with which the Lord brought the chosen people out of Egypt and out of Babylonian captivity. When Jesus speaks his »I am he/It is I« formulas, he actually continues and fulfils their historical-salvific function. As the Father in the Old Testament, while speaking his »I am« formulas, brought the chosen people out of Egypt and Babylon, and defeated the Pharaoh and the king of Babylon, so shall the Son in the New Testament save the new chosen people, bring them into the new promised land and defeat Satan. Even though Jesus, while speaking out his »I am he/It is I« formulas, identifies himself as a theophanic warrior and king, who subjects unto himself the demonic forces and forces of chaos, he is also the suffering Servant of the Lord. In order for Satan’s kingdom to be completely destroyed and to bring the new chosen people to the new promised land, the Kingdom of God, Jesus must surrender himself. In this way he completes and fulfils the historical-salvific function of the Old Testament »I am/I am he« formulas, once and for all, in his death of the cross (cf. Mk 14:62; 15:39; Mt 27:54; Jn 8:28; 13:19).
Keywords
Bible; New Testament; God's name; "I am he/It is I" formula; theophanic context; the historical-salvific function
Hrčak ID:
157305
URI
Publication date:
5.5.2016.
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