Comparative Theology · Monotheism & Christology
The "I AM" Claims in John (John 8:58)
In short
- 1.The Greek phrase **Ego Eimi** simply means **I am he** or **I existed**.
- 2.In **John 9:9** the healed blind man uses the exact same phrase **Ego Eimi** ("I am he") — yet nobody worships him as God.
- 3.In the Greek **Septuagint (LXX)**, God's name in **Exodus 3:14** is **Ego Eimi Ho On** ("I am the Existing One"), not merely **Ego Eimi**.
The claim being examined
The view that "Ego Eimi" in John 8:58 is an absolute invocation of the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14.
The Islamic position
"Ego Eimi" is ordinary conversational Greek for "I am he" — it is not the divine name, which the Septuagint renders "Ho On", The Existing One.
Analysis
In John 8:58, "Ego Eimi" reflects Jesus's pre-existence in divine decree, or his priority over Abraham in prophetology. In Exodus 3:14 (LXX) the divine title is "Ho On" ("The Being"). Translating "Ego Eimi" as an absolute claim to the divine name conflates conversational Greek identification with ontological deity.
From the Qur'an
Qur'an 5:72
لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.
From the Bible
John 9:9
ἐκεῖνος ἔλεγεν ὅτι Ἐγώ εἰμι.
Others said, 'He is the one.' But he kept insisting, 'I am he' (Ego Eimi).
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Septuagint (LXX)
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