ApB.1a. We take note of the fact Karl Barth, the theologian, suggested that the parousia (arrival or presence) includes not only Resurrection Sunday but Pentecost as well. That is, Barth concluded that the New Testament notion of parousia covers more than Christ's final return.
ApB.1. Matthew and Luke have Jesus reply, "As you say," or "Your words." The writers favored this standard means of answering a direct question with a polite indirect response because, no doubt, they wished to avoid the idea that Jesus testified about himself. But, if the Father was speaking through Jesus -- as he was -- then it was the Father who was testifying about Jesus and himself.
From this, we can rationally decide that the writers of Matthew and Luke were probably incorporating the Marcan text, rather than Mark's writer summarizing Matthew and-or Luke. That is, the Marcan reading being the more difficult, we see that it is more likely that others would correct it or tweak it than that Matthew or Luke would have been changed, as there would have been little motive for doing so.
Interestingly, Matthew and Luke copy Mark precisely (Matthew 27:11, Luke 23:3) as to Jesus' reply to Pilate:
ApB.1b. Son of God is a phrase carrying several meanings. Among them is the meaning: Directly created, without being born of a woman. Hence, once a person is born again of the Spirit (and not of the flesh), he or she is on the same level as an angel, having been given the right to be called a son of God.
Just as, for our sake, Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, his victory over death resulted in the Father subjecting everything -- including the devil, death and evil spirits -- under the Son, though defiance is permitted to continue for a period while souls are still being harvested.
And in verse 2:11 we see that born-again believers are now one with the Son, meaning we are no longer lower than the angels. But, we should nevertheless keep a low profile and, while here on Earth, take a meek and lowly attitude toward our fellow humans, (and any angels we might encounter!).
ApB.1. Matthew and Luke have Jesus reply, "As you say," or "Your words." The writers favored this standard means of answering a direct question with a polite indirect response because, no doubt, they wished to avoid the idea that Jesus testified about himself. But, if the Father was speaking through Jesus -- as he was -- then it was the Father who was testifying about Jesus and himself.
From this, we can rationally decide that the writers of Matthew and Luke were probably incorporating the Marcan text, rather than Mark's writer summarizing Matthew and-or Luke. That is, the Marcan reading being the more difficult, we see that it is more likely that others would correct it or tweak it than that Matthew or Luke would have been changed, as there would have been little motive for doing so.
Interestingly, Matthew and Luke copy Mark precisely (Matthew 27:11, Luke 23:3) as to Jesus' reply to Pilate:
Mark 15:2
In any case, let us
consider what John says on the topic of bearing witness.And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.
JN 5:31-43
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
ApB.1b. Son of God is a phrase carrying several meanings. Among them is the meaning: Directly created, without being born of a woman. Hence, once a person is born again of the Spirit (and not of the flesh), he or she is on the same level as an angel, having been given the right to be called a son of God.
Just as, for our sake, Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, his victory over death resulted in the Father subjecting everything -- including the devil, death and evil spirits -- under the Son, though defiance is permitted to continue for a period while souls are still being harvested.
And in verse 2:11 we see that born-again believers are now one with the Son, meaning we are no longer lower than the angels. But, we should nevertheless keep a low profile and, while here on Earth, take a meek and lowly attitude toward our fellow humans, (and any angels we might encounter!).
Hebrews 2:7-11
7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands:
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers...
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