The God of the living and Jesus' resurrection argument
Jesus quotes God's self-identification to Moses as the God of the patriarchs when defending resurrection before his own death.
Historical context
At the burning bush, God calls Moses and identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The scene leads into Moses' commission to bring Israel out of Egypt.
Tradition note
Follow the unity of the incarnate Word's life and Israel's Scriptures, as read in the Church's worship and Christological tradition. The labels distinguish the New Testament's citations from broader applications and typology; original historical contexts remain visible.
Avoid overclaiming
The original scene establishes God's identity and his relationship with the patriarchs in the call of Moses. Jesus draws a resurrection argument from that relationship; Exodus does not explicitly predict the date or circumstances of his own empty tomb. This earlier defense of resurrection must not be placed as an event that occurs after Easter.
Key points
- New Testament application
- Matthew 22:31–32 (New Testament application) — During the final Jerusalem disputes, Jesus quotes the patriarchal identification and argues that God is the God of the living. This is a scriptural defense of resurrection before the passion, grouped with his temple-period teaching rather than his own resurrection event.
Doctrinal connections
- During the final Jerusalem disputes, Jesus quotes the patriarchal identification and argues that God is the God of the living. This is a scriptural defense of resurrection before the passion, grouped with his temple-period teaching rather than his own resurrection event.
Scripture
- Exodus 3:1–6 — At the burning bush, God calls Moses and identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The scene leads into Moses' commission to bring Israel out of Egypt.
- Matthew 22:31–32 — During the final Jerusalem disputes, Jesus quotes the patriarchal identification and argues that God is the God of the living. This is a scriptural defense of resurrection before the passion, grouped with his temple-period teaching rather than his own resurrection event.