When we read through the gospel of John in the Bible, we are confronted with seven (7) “I am” statements that reveal to us Jesus’ character and ministry in the world.
The 7 “I am” statements in John are: 1) I am the bread of life, 2) I am the light of the world, 3) I am the door of the sheep, 4) I am the good shepherd, 5) I am the resurrection and life, 6) I am the the way, the truth and the life and 7) I am the true vine.
The Seven “I am” Statements in John
Here are the seven “I am” statements in John in order and with Bible references!
- I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48)
- I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46)
- I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7)
- I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)
- I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
- I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
- I am the true vine (John 15:1)
What Do The 7 “I AM” Statements Mean?
Jesus had a unique way of expressing important truths about his personal character and his mission that would challenge his listeners during his earthly ministry.
We find some of these important truths in seven statements in the gospel of John that begin with “I am.”
The phrase “I am” is first seen in Exodus 3:14, where God revealed himself to Moses with the words “I am who I am.” In this way God connected with the people of Israel. He conveyed to Israel the truth that God was, is and always will be.
When Jesus used this phrase “I AM” in John 8:58, the Jewish people immediately realized that Jesus identified himself as God and therefore he bore in his flesh God’s presence on earth as noted in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me (referring to Jesus) has seen the Father.”
These seven (7) statements are written as metaphors in which Jesus revealed some aspect of his person and mission. When we examine these 7 statements, we see that the apostle John provided a clear explanation of each “I am” statement so that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing may have life in Jesus’ name (John 20:31).
1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48)
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
“I am the bread of life” (John 6:48)
Explanation: Jesus is our sufficiency because he meets our deepest needs.
Jesus had fed the five thousand (5000) with a few loaves of bread and a couple of small fish (John 6:1-14) and the next day many sought after him seeking a sign (John 6:30). It seems that the people didn’t quite understand the miracle that Jesus performed the previous day.
What Jesus wanted them to understand was that physical food would only satisfy them temporarily; whereas, Jesus (the bread from heaven) would satisfy their spiritual needs forever. Jesus explained that the manna given to the Israelites in the wilderness was temporal and those who ate of it eventually died. However, Jesus provides the bread of life that leads to everlasting life. All they needed to do was believe in him.
2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46)
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'” (John 8:12).
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).
Explanation: Jesus opens our eyes to the truth about salvation and sin.
Generally speaking, the world is in the darkness of sin, ignorance and hopelessness. Jesus is the only One who is able to deliver us from the blackness of sin and bring us into his marvelous light in order to guide us through life by his truth or his word as indicated in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Light has a rich meaning in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, light reminds us of the pillar of fire by which God had guided Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). It also reminds us of the Feast of Tabernacles where four huge candelabra were lit pushing light up into the night sky like a searchlight.
It was against this backdrop that Jesus made the stunning statement that he was the true light of the world. Jesus opens our eyes to see the truth about salvation and sin. We can believe in him as Lord and Savior and he will guide us through life.
3. I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7)
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7).
Explanation: Jesus is the only entrance to God’s family.
Jesus uses the metaphor of the door to the sheepfold to illustrate that he is only way of salvation and blessing as indicated in John 10:9, ” I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
In John 10:8, Jesus said, “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” Jesus said that others will come and promised many things but they are only thieves and robbers.
Jesus would reinforce this truth in John 14:6 when He said, “I am way, the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me.”
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14).
Explanation: Jesus is the provider and protector of his people.
It seems that Jesus chose this metaphor because sheep and shepherds were commonly known in Israel and its history.
It is the job of the shepherd to provide food and water and to protect the sheep from dangerous predators.
Jesus stated that he is the good shepherd who will provide salvation (by laying down his life), blessing and protection. He invited them to believe in him and to follow him. Jesus will gather them, care for them and kept them safe.
The opposite of the good shepherd are the hirlings who see danger but instead of protected the sheep, they flee. These false shepherds are only concerned about themselves. These false shepherds are the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who rejected him as the door to God’s family.
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live'” (John 11:25).
Explanation: Jesus is our guarantee of eternal life.
When Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and life,” Martha’s focus was on the final resurrection at the end of the age when Jesus will raise the dead. However, Jesus was going to show the world that his statement wasn’t empty words. He raised Lazarus immediately and called Martha to a person trust in him as the one who alone has the power of death.
Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:2). If you believe in Jesus, then you have eternal life. It’s guaranteed!
6. I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (John 14:6).
Explanation: Jesus is the only true path to the Father.
The backdrop to this statement is when Jesus said “I am going away and I am going to prepare a place for you . . . and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-4). Thomas asks Jesus the obvious question! “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, and how can we know the way.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:5-6). Jesus is the only way to God. He is the only source for truth and knowledge about God and he is the only means of obtaining eternal life.
There are not several ways to God. Jesus said there is only one way.
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1)
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1).
Explanation: Jesus is not only the source of life but also fruitfulness.
Jesus used the vine metaphor to illustrate to his followers the importance of our personal walk with him. To bear fruit for God’s glory we must be connected to him.
Jesus showed us this concept in his oneness with the Father as indicated in John 5:30, ” I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” We also see this in John 8:28, “Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.”
We can do nothing of spiritual value apart from him. However, the apostle Paul said, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Table – The 7 “I am” Statements of Jesus
| ORDER | “I AM” STATEMENTS | BIBLE REFERENCES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “I am the bread of life” | (John 6:35, 48) |
| 2 | “I am the light of the world” | (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46) |
| 3 | “I am the door of the sheep” | (John 10:17) |
| 4 | “I am the good shepherd” | (John 10:11) |
| 5 | “I am the resurrection and life” | (John 11:25) |
| 6 | “I am the way, the truth and the life” | (John 14:6) |
| 7 | “I am the true vine” | (John 15:1) |
You can check out the 7 Miracles of Jesus in the gospel of John by clicking on the following link: The 7 Miracles of Jesus in John’s Gospel.