The True Children of Abraham Debate
A lot of research as of late has been dedicated to investigating the different layers that exist within the Fourth Gospel, commonly referred to as the “Gospel of John.” In this article, I would like to share some of my work dealing with the pericope of the True Children of Abraham Debate that lies within the Dialogues layer as reconstructed by Dr. Mahlon H. Smith. (This article is going to be rather rough until I get it all down and am able to smooth things out.)
8:28 So Jesus said:
When you’ve elevated the son of Adam then you will recognize what I am!
30 When he said this, many believed in him.
31 So Jesus began to tell the Judeans who had come to believe in him
“If you stick to my teaching (logos) you will be my disciples.
32 And you’ll know the truth, and the truth will liberate you!”
In the opening to the dialogue, there are two possible sets of wordplay that require our attention:
The first is a simple comparison of the two words λογος (logos; word, teaching) and μαθητεης (mathêtês; disciples). In Aramaic, it is quite possible that these could have their origins in מלתא (melthâ’; word, teaching) and תלמידין (talmîdîn; disciples) respectively. The first three base consonants of these two words are mirror images of eachother (מלת [mlt] vs. תלמד [tlmd]), which allows for not only a pun, but some clever assonance (which from my generation rings the platitude, “be cool, stay in school”).
The second involves the words αληθεια (alêtheia; truth) and ελευθεροω (eleutheroô; to liberate, to free). It is quite possible that these respectively trace back to the roots שרר (shrar; truth) and חרר (khrar; liberate, set free) in the form of a pun. The truth very well may set you free, especially if you have a cold. ש (sh; shin) and ח (kh; khet) are both fricatives, the only difference being which part of the pallate is being employed.
33 And they replied to him:
“We are Abraham’s descendents (sperma)
and we have never been a slave to anyone!
How (can) you say: ‘You will become liberated’?
34 Jesus replied to them:
“I swear I’m telling you the truth:
Everyone who makes an error is a slave to error.
In this passage, a pun between “to make” and “slave” is also rather prominent as in Aramaic they share the root עבד (`avad), drawing a parallel between the two. This use is common between virtually all dialects of Aramaic on record, so it would certainly be found in the dialect that would have been employed.
37 I know you are descendents of Abraham but you are trying to kill me,
because there is no room for my teaching among you.
38 And so you do what you heard from your father.
Between the words עבד (`avad; to do) and אבא (’abâ’; father), there may be some more potential wordplay. Given how they are placed within the saying, it may also be part of a parallelism, and it certainly builds upon how עבד (`avad) has been used earlier in the pericope.
Also note the rhetoric: “I know you are the descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me.” This is not a declaration of intent to physically kill, but a device of debate (for example in English “Oh stop that whining, you’re killing me!”). It emphasizes a state of disbelief or annoyance.
39 They retotred and said to him:
“Our אבא (’abâ’; father) is אברהם (’abrâhâm; Abraham)!”
Jesus says to them:
“If you are אברהם (’abrâhâm; Abraham)’s children, עבדו (`avadû; do) as אברהם (’abrâhâm; Abraham) עבד (`avad; did)!
40 Now you’re trying to kill me!
A man who has told you the truth that he heard from God. אברהם (’abrâhâm; Abraham) didn’t עבד (`avad; do) this!
41 You are עבד (`aved; doing) as your אבא (’abâ’; father)!
In verses 39 to 41, there is further play upon עבד (`avad; to do) and some further possible wordplay with אבא (’abâ’; father), and now we see another possible source of wordplay with the word אברהם (’abrâhâm; Abraham). The idea that if one’s abba is Abraham they would `abad what Abraham would `abad appears to be one, not only of criticism, but with this repetition of “ab” may be a form of mockery or insult. Pharisees from the time period had great reverence for the teachings of their elders, which later evolved into tractate Avot (lit. “Fathers”) in the Talmud, so the criticism appears to be focused upon how Pharisee elders did things versus their understanding of the practices of Abraham.
41 (cont.) They told him:
“Us? We’re not born as ממזרין (mamzrîn; bastards)!
We have one Father: God!”
42 Jesus told them:
If God was your father, you’d רחמין (râkhmîn; love) me!
Here we see another potential root-pun between ממזרא (mamzrâ’; bastard) and רחם (rkham; love), however this one might be unlikely.
43 Why don’t you משתודעין (meshtawd`în; recognize) what I’m מלתי (mlathî; saying) ((lit. “my words”))?
Because לא משכחין אנתון שמעין (lâ’ meshk’khîn ‘antûn shema`în; you can’t listen) to מלתי (mlathî; my teaching)!
In the Peshitta and in the Old Syriac (S), we see a rather interesting reading which very well may be some potential wordplay: ידע (yada; to know, understand) is found in an old eshtaphal form משתודעין (meshtawd`în). While in this form, it has nice alitterative qualities with the phrase לא משכחין אנתון שמעין (lâ’ meshk’khîn ‘antûn shema`în; lit. you’re not able to listen).
44 You are from your /)abA)/ father, and you /(ab]ad/ do what your /)abA)/ father /xmad/ wants.
(Currently being researched from this point on.)
He was a murderer from the beginning,
and did not stand for the Truth, because there was no truth in him.
When he tells a lie he speaks on his own
For he is a liar and the father of lies.
45 But I tell you the truth, and you don’t believe me.
46 Will any of you point out my error?
If I’m telling the truth why won’t you believe me?
48 And the Judeans retorted and said to him:
“Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan
and you are insane!” [lit.: “you have a demon!”]
49 Jesus retorted
“Me? I’m not insane! [lit.: “I don’t have a demon!”]
But I respect my Father, and you don’t respect me.
51 I swear I’m telling you the truth!
Anyone who treasures my teaching won’t die!
52 The Judeans said to him:
“Now we know you’re insane!
Abraham died! The prophets too!
And you’re saying:
‘Anyone who treasures my teaching won’t die’?
53 You’re not greater than our father Abraham!
He died! THe prophets died too!
What do you make yourself out to be?
54 Jesus retorted:
56 “Your father Abraham would have been overjoyed
to see my day.”
57 Then the Judeans said to him:
“You’re not yet 50 and you’ve seen Abraham?
So they picked up stones to throw at him.
59 But Jesus disappeared and left the temple.