Genesis 17:3-9 / John 8:51-59
Jesus speaks about himself: “Before Abraham
came to be, I AM.”
The
unusual verbal formula “I AM” without a predicate is
found often in John (e.g., 6:20; 8:24, 28, 58). It is also found in the synoptics (e.g., Mark 14:62, Matthew
14:27). The formula is the same one that Yahweh used to identify himself in a
solemn, revelatory way in the Old Testament (e.g.,
Exodus 3:6,14; 20:2). Use of the formula places Jesus on a par with Yahweh
himself.