The Lifting up of the Son of Man” (John 3:14-15): Highlighting the Relationship between the OT and NT – An Exegetical/Theological Reflection

The dynamic relationship existing between the two testaments of the Christian Bible, the OT and NT, has long been recognized by most Christians with regard to divine revelation. However, this relationship exhibits different characteristics when specific passages or texts come under consideration – and these have to be fully grasped for the deeper understanding of both the texts in question and, ultimately, the two testaments of the Bible. This paper, therefore, aims at a deep study of the text of John 3:14-15, “The lifting up of the Son of Man” – especially as John 3:14 is a clear “allusion” to Num 21:4-9. This would throw more light on that text and help to bring out, especially in this particular case, the relationship existing between the two testaments. Notable also is the fact that these two verses lead into John 3:16 which emphasizes God’s enduring will to save everyone who believes in Jesus, a verse widely reputed for its importance in the entire NT. This paper is written mainly through library research, enriched particularly by the use of the Historical Critical method of scriptural analysis, for the proper study of the text in question. Thus, the relationship between these two texts is mainly typological. Yet, even though Num 21:4-9 has been fulfilled in Jesus in the NT, that text still has its own specific relevance in that First Testament. The recommendation, therefore, is for everyone reading this text to endeavour to see its deep roots in the OT so as to fully understand and value it as well as the importance of the two testaments especially in the lives of Christians. Hence, this paper would be highly relevant to all Christians and lovers of the Bible as well as all teachers and students of religion in higher institutions of learning.