“The Importance of Tense”

Mark 12: 26: “Have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.’” This is one verse that requires an understanding of basic grammar in order to receive its message. When God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ they had each been dead for centuries. If they were ‘dead dead’ He would have used the past tense, ‘I was the God of Abraham,’ etc. But having paid attention in His grammar class He used the present tense, “I am”, meaning they were still alive somewhere, in some form. But the Sadducees didn’t get that, so Jesus (and their grammar teacher) gave them poor marks: You are greatly mistaken!”