How do you describe the phrase "I am the Resurrection"?

Question

In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses a phrase translated into English as, "I am the Resurrection". Obviously this means the same thing as "I am the Resurrecter" but there is a small difference. How do you describe the difference?

I know the phrase makes sense in English, it's just kind of rare.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

This is a question of theology rather than of grammar.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousa phrase translated into English as, "I am the Resurrection". Obviously this means the same thing as "I am the Resurrecter"

This is not at all obvious. In fact, it's obvious to me that the two do not have the same meaning.

"I am the Resurrection" is a metaphor, so speaker meaning differs from literal meaning. It is up to the reader to interpret such metaphors in order to reach a conclusion regarding speaker meaning. In the case of biblical metaphors, it seems to me that the extreme difficulty of interpreting such metaphors is the reason there are so many theologians and clergy who wish to act as guides in the interpretation, and so many interpretations.

CJ

How do you describe the phrase "I am the Resurrection"?

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