Jesus the Son of Man · Chapter
Bartholomew in Ephesus explained
Bartholomew defends Jesus against accusations that He appealed only to slaves and outcasts, arguing that Jesus' followers were freemen of strength and courage, and that Jesus transcended social divisions, being noble, free, and high-born in
What happens
Bartholomew defends Jesus against accusations that He appealed only to slaves and outcasts, arguing that Jesus' followers were freemen of strength and courage, and that Jesus transcended social divisions, being noble, free, and high-born in spirit.
Themes in this chapter
Social Justice and the Marginalized
Bartholomew counters the claim that Jesus incited slaves against masters, asserting Jesus stood with no man against another.
Humanity and Divinity of Jesus
Bartholomew describes Jesus as a man above men, with noble and free qualities, highlighting His unique nature.
Characters to notice
- Jesus
Defended by Bartholomew as a man above men, noble and free, not aligned with any social class.
- Bartholomew
Speaker who passionately refutes the claim that Jesus appealed only to the lowly.
Key passages
“He was with no man against another man. He was a man above men, and the streams that ran in His sinews sang together with passion and with might.”
Jesus did not take sides in human conflicts; He transcended them, being a superior being whose very life was full of passion and strength.
Bartholomew emphasizes Jesus' neutrality and superiority.
“If nobility lies in being protective, He was the noblest of all men. If freedom is in thought and word and action, He was the freest of all men.”
Jesus was the most noble because He protected others, and the most free because He lived with complete liberty in thought, speech, and deed.
Bartholomew defines nobility and freedom as embodied by Jesus.