‘How fair is the charge that John’s Jesus is not really human?’
The image of Jesus as presented in John’s gospel is shaped by the presentation of his
preoccupation with his own divinity, with his human qualities being left mostly
unexplored. As such, the charge that John’s Jesus is not really human is convincing,
since the gospel presents a figure who is grappling with his divinity in relation to the
human world, as opposed to focusing on Jesus’ human lineage and conception.
Indeed, through exploring Jesus’ divine power, relationship to God, and pre-existence
as the Logos, he is presented as a working embodiment of the Word1, rather than a
human that is partly divine.
The use of language in John presents Jesus as not truly human. Throughout the text,
Jesus uses the phrase “I am,” such as “I am he,”2 constantly. This simple language
places emphasis on the position of Jesus as the Son of God and promised Messiah,
also implying that he is aware of the prophecies3 surrounding his name and his
divinity. “He” references the idea that Jesus’ arrival, and position as the messiah was
foretold, with the lack of explanation of who “he” is suggesting that he meets the
conditions to fulfil the prophecies about him, and thus will be recognised by those he
meets. Indeed, throughout John, Jesus and others act in order to fulfil the scripture4,
placing him as the long-awaited messiah. John 6:155 uses the same phrasing to make
a statement about salvation, which suggests that Jesus has a greater purpose and
goal in the human world: to bring salvation to humanity6. A sign of his divinity, it
creates the image of John’s Jesus as being occupied by his greater God-given purpose.
During the text, he is occupied with the struggle between light and dark, which
presents him as focused on providing humanity with love, hope and guidance. Indeed,
1
Lindars, Barnabas. John. 2022. Sheffield Academic Press: Sheffield, England, pg77.
2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Bible. 2021. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge,
England, John 4:26.
3
Ibid., John 1:45.
4
Ibid., John 19: 24, John 19:36.
5
Ibid., “I am the resurrection and the life.”
6
Ibid., John 8:12.
, his ultimate sacrifice symbolises the victory of light over dark, reinforcing the idea
that he is occupied with salvation and his role as a saviour. Additionally, the language
of “I am” in John 6:15 is shared between Jesus and God, suggesting a close
relationship and highlighting Jesus’ divine lineage.7 “I am” statements are not used in
this way by other characters in John’s gospel, elevating Jesus into a position of divinity
and creating a comparison between Jesus and the human characters of John. To a
similar effect, comparisons are used between John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus states
“I have a testimony greater than John’s,”8 indicating that whilst John the Baptist holds
some power and knowledge more than that of other humans, he is less authoritative
in comparison to Jesus as the living Word of God. Additionally, the language draws
attention to the difference in power between Jesus and humanity. Whilst humans are
limited, Jesus has almost unrestricted power and influence, with knowledge
unattainable to humans. In comparison, John the Baptist is aware of his limitations,
emphasising his being “not the messiah”9 multiple times before his withdrawal from
the events of the gospel, building up to the climax of narration. This also presents to
both the readers and the characters the uniqueness of Jesus’ position, with “The”
being the most indicative of this, since it holds emphasis. Overall, this language
illustrates the fourth gospel’s purpose in showing Jesus as a salvific entity for those
who believe in him.10 Whilst he is a human figure capable of guidance (indeed he is
able to speak the words mentioned, indicating at least some humanity in him), Jesus is
more importantly a spiritual figure working with the Father for ultimate salvation and
eschatological completion.
Jesus as the Logos also indicates his spiritual dimension. Edwards emphasises the
importance of Jesus’ pre-existence as the Logos in the beginning, presenting Logos as
7
Smith, D. Moody. “Jesus Tradition in the Gospel of John.” Handbook for the Study of the Historical
Jesus. 2011, pg2017.
8
NRSVue Bible., John 5:36
9
Ibid., John 3:28.
10
Lindars. John., Pg77
The image of Jesus as presented in John’s gospel is shaped by the presentation of his
preoccupation with his own divinity, with his human qualities being left mostly
unexplored. As such, the charge that John’s Jesus is not really human is convincing,
since the gospel presents a figure who is grappling with his divinity in relation to the
human world, as opposed to focusing on Jesus’ human lineage and conception.
Indeed, through exploring Jesus’ divine power, relationship to God, and pre-existence
as the Logos, he is presented as a working embodiment of the Word1, rather than a
human that is partly divine.
The use of language in John presents Jesus as not truly human. Throughout the text,
Jesus uses the phrase “I am,” such as “I am he,”2 constantly. This simple language
places emphasis on the position of Jesus as the Son of God and promised Messiah,
also implying that he is aware of the prophecies3 surrounding his name and his
divinity. “He” references the idea that Jesus’ arrival, and position as the messiah was
foretold, with the lack of explanation of who “he” is suggesting that he meets the
conditions to fulfil the prophecies about him, and thus will be recognised by those he
meets. Indeed, throughout John, Jesus and others act in order to fulfil the scripture4,
placing him as the long-awaited messiah. John 6:155 uses the same phrasing to make
a statement about salvation, which suggests that Jesus has a greater purpose and
goal in the human world: to bring salvation to humanity6. A sign of his divinity, it
creates the image of John’s Jesus as being occupied by his greater God-given purpose.
During the text, he is occupied with the struggle between light and dark, which
presents him as focused on providing humanity with love, hope and guidance. Indeed,
1
Lindars, Barnabas. John. 2022. Sheffield Academic Press: Sheffield, England, pg77.
2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Bible. 2021. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge,
England, John 4:26.
3
Ibid., John 1:45.
4
Ibid., John 19: 24, John 19:36.
5
Ibid., “I am the resurrection and the life.”
6
Ibid., John 8:12.
, his ultimate sacrifice symbolises the victory of light over dark, reinforcing the idea
that he is occupied with salvation and his role as a saviour. Additionally, the language
of “I am” in John 6:15 is shared between Jesus and God, suggesting a close
relationship and highlighting Jesus’ divine lineage.7 “I am” statements are not used in
this way by other characters in John’s gospel, elevating Jesus into a position of divinity
and creating a comparison between Jesus and the human characters of John. To a
similar effect, comparisons are used between John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus states
“I have a testimony greater than John’s,”8 indicating that whilst John the Baptist holds
some power and knowledge more than that of other humans, he is less authoritative
in comparison to Jesus as the living Word of God. Additionally, the language draws
attention to the difference in power between Jesus and humanity. Whilst humans are
limited, Jesus has almost unrestricted power and influence, with knowledge
unattainable to humans. In comparison, John the Baptist is aware of his limitations,
emphasising his being “not the messiah”9 multiple times before his withdrawal from
the events of the gospel, building up to the climax of narration. This also presents to
both the readers and the characters the uniqueness of Jesus’ position, with “The”
being the most indicative of this, since it holds emphasis. Overall, this language
illustrates the fourth gospel’s purpose in showing Jesus as a salvific entity for those
who believe in him.10 Whilst he is a human figure capable of guidance (indeed he is
able to speak the words mentioned, indicating at least some humanity in him), Jesus is
more importantly a spiritual figure working with the Father for ultimate salvation and
eschatological completion.
Jesus as the Logos also indicates his spiritual dimension. Edwards emphasises the
importance of Jesus’ pre-existence as the Logos in the beginning, presenting Logos as
7
Smith, D. Moody. “Jesus Tradition in the Gospel of John.” Handbook for the Study of the Historical
Jesus. 2011, pg2017.
8
NRSVue Bible., John 5:36
9
Ibid., John 3:28.
10
Lindars. John., Pg77
