What Are the 7 'I Am' Statements of Jesus?
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The Bible is made up of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is known for providing God's law, while the New Testament is known as the fulfillment of God's law through Jesus Christ. So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that the "I Am" statements of Jesus in the New Testament book of John actually have a connection to the second book of the Old Testament (Exodus).
From God talking to Moses and identifying himself as "I AM WHO I AM," to Jesus identifying himself by giving a series of "I Am" statements, there is plenty of significance to unpack. We'll go over the original context from Exodus, as well as share the seven distinct "I Am" statements that Jesus gives in John—plus, what they mean.
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Background of 'I Am' from the Old Testament
Moses had been away from Egypt for a long time. His ancestor, Joseph, was but a memory (Exodus 1:8). As a baby, Moses was hidden in a basket among the reeds of the Nile River, where his lineage and his rearing met with providence. The Pharaoh's daughter found him there, but his mother continued to nurse him (Exodus 2:5-10).
Forty years later, a now-grown Moses walked among his people one day, and could not stand by and watch one of his own being abused. After making sure no one was watching, he killed the Egyptian who abused a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:12).
Moses fled for his life, settling into the land of Abraham and Keturah for the next forty years. At Mt. Horeb, he met with God, who appeared to him in a burning bush. God told Moses to go back to Egypt, rescue his people and bring them to a land he'd prepared for them. Moses wondered how people would know it was God who sent him to do this.
"God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14 NRSV). In Hebrew: "ehyah Asher eheh."
From the website Israel by Locals, we learn: “'Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh' is closely connected to the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter Hebrew name of God, often written as YHWH (יהוה). The exact pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton has been lost over time due to ancient Hebrew’s lack of written vowels. It is considered so sacred that devout Jews avoid pronouncing it, substituting it with 'Adonai' (Lord) during prayers and readings."
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Why Is Jesus Referred to as 'I Am'?
Centuries later, the words of Jesus are recorded by the gospel writer, John, intentionally identifying Jesus as "I Am." In using this phrase, Jesus proclaimed his divine nature: fully God, fully man. Similarly, the Nicene Creed states: "Lord Jesus Christ... begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made."
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How Many Times Did Jesus Say 'I Am' in the Bible?
The statements are sometimes emphasized more than once, but in total, Jesus declared himself to be "I Am" seven times throughout his ministry. The number seven is considered one of the most important numbers in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is associated with the idea of completeness, holiness and even perfection.
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What Are the Seven 'I Am' Statements of Jesus?
The following "I Am" statements are quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible:
1. "I Am the Bread of Life"
There was a crowd looking for a sign, a miracle so they could believe. Maybe manna, as in the days of Moses. Jesus told them about the true bread of God: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
2. "I Am the Light of the World"
He was speaking to the people once more, at the Feast of Tabernacles, where there would have been a huge menorah on display in the temple courtyard, when Jesus announced: "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12).
3. "I Am the Gate for the Sheep"
Here, Jesus was telling a story. There was a thief trying to steal sheep, and a shepherd who enters through a gate, one recognizable both to the gatekeeper and the sheep. This good shepherd knows the sheep by name and guides them, because the sheep come to know and trust his voice. "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep" (John 10:7).
4. "I Am the Good Shepherd"
The image of Jesus as Shepherd is a common metaphor used throughout the life of Jesus, one Jewish people in first century Judea and Galilee would have understood well. In the same story we looked at above, Jesus goes on to identify with another character in the story, "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me" (John 10:14).
5. "I Am the Resurrection and the Life"
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, was sick, and he died before Jesus could get to his house in Bethany. His sisters, Mary and Martha, knew that if Jesus had been there, their brother would not have died. At the grave of Lazarus, Jesus shouted for Lazarus to come out, and he did. It's in the middle of this powerful story that Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).
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6. "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
It's a more intimate setting when Jesus made this "I Am" statement. He was dining with his disciples, hours before being arrested. Jesus explained he was leaving, but would prepare a place for them. The disciple, Thomas, wondered at this (likely just asking the question everyone had on their mind). "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).
7. "I Am the True Vine"
Jesus is still sharing his final words with the disciples, those who walked closely with him in his earthly ministry. He again turns to metaphor, painting a word picture those in an agrarian society would have understood well. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
