A Little Greek is a Dangerous Thing

In the Basics of Biblical Greek course, William Mounce teaches a lesson on the perfect indicative tense of the Greek and uses John 19:30 for his example on Exegetical Insight. John 19:30 is the verse where Jesus says from the cross, “It is finished.” Mouce states that, because of the presence of the perfect tense, Jesus was saying that He fully completed His task at that time. Esssentially, the plan of redemption concluded with Jesus physically dying on the cross and making that statement. I believe that Hank Hanegraaff says the same thing in his book Christianity in Crisis. If we were to employ their exegesis to this scripture, then this question is presented: Exactly when did Jesus enter the Holy Place in heaven to offer His blood upon the mercy seat?

One comment...What do you think?

  1. Posted by Edward Roberts 1st May, 2008 at 9:07 am

    I am not sure it is the Greek here that is the problem… it is their interpretation of what “it” is….

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