Jesus’ “I Am” Statements in the Gospel of John
Look up the following verses. For each, write down what Jesus says he “is,” and write a sentence explaining what he might mean by the statement.
Metaphorical “I am” Statements:
6:35, 48, 51— Jesus says, “I am the bread.” Jesus means that He is the source of people’s spiritual nourishment. Without knowing Jesus, we cannot understand who we are and what God wants from us
8:12; 9:5— “I am the light of the world.” Jesus is saying that it is He who has the power to rescue us from the darkness and sin of the world and show us the way. It is through Him that we are able to understand ourselves and the world
10:7, 9— “I am the gate.” Jesus means that He is the only way through which people can enter heaven and have eternal life.
10:11, 14— “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus is saying that He is the One with the power to provide nourishment for his flock, protect them, and guides them in this world.
11:25— “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus means that he has conquered death and that those who believe have eternal life. It is by knowing Him that a person has a complete life.
14:6— “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In this statement, Jesus means that it is only by following Him that we can reach God, His word is true, and through it, we can gain knowledge of the world. It is only by believing in Him and following His teaching that we can live.
15:1— “I am the true vine.” In this passage, Jesus means that He will always be connected to His followers and provide them with energy and nourishment.
Next, read these two longer passages to gain more understanding of the context of some of the “I am” statements. Write down what you notice in the passages.
6:22-59— In this passage, Jesus is speaking at the temple. There is a lot of doubt about who Jesus is as He speaks. In His teaching, He makes it clear that His roots are divine. He affirms that He has been sent by God. The Pharisees and the listeners are in doubt over who Jesus is, and Jesus’ words further confuse them. Jesus also speaks about His looming crucifixion and that His time in the world is short. He assures those that follow Him of spiritual nourishment.
10:1-18— Jesus is yet again speaking around Pharisees. This passage offers the context for the “I am a good shepherd” and “I am the bridge” declarations. Jesus again reiterates that He is God sent. He also foretells his coming crucifixion and that He is the only true path. Jesus also predicts that He will overcome death because He has the power to lay down his life and pick it up again at His own accord.
The Gospel of John also includes what scholars call “absolute ‘I am’ statements.” Read the following passages, record what Jesus says he is, and then in the space below, reflect on what these “absolute ‘I am’ statements” might mean.
6:20— “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
8:24—“ I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”
8:28— “ I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.”
8:58— “ before Abraham was born, I am.”
18:5— “I am he”
In these statements, Jesus is affirming His divine side. He is the one that was promised; He is the Messiah. Jesus’ uses the “I am” statements to show that He is God and God in Him. He is part of the Holy Trilogy. He is connected to God since the beginning of time, and those who refuse His word have refused God’s word. In essence, I think Jesus is trying to tell the disciples of His divinity.
What is the significance of the “I am” statements in the Gospel of John? What role do they plan in the book?
The “I am” statements are significant because they show Jesus’ purpose and destiny. Jesus uses them to tell Israelites that He is there to provide them with spiritual nourishment, deliver them from the darkness of sin and eventually lead to God and eternal life. This was His purpose. The statements are meant to strengthen His followers because He knew that He would soon depart. These words were supposed to remind them of who He is and to assure them that He would be with them forever because He is divine.