Is there a connection between Jacob’s ladder and Jesus’ statement in John 1:51?
Question:
Recently, while reading in the Old Testament at Genesis 28:12, I read about Jacob's dream of the angels and the ladder going to heaven. Today, I read John 1:51 in which Jesus is talking to one of his disciples and tells him that he will see the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man from heaven. Is there any relationship between these two situations?
Answer:
"And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man"" (John 1:51).
Jesus is alluding to Jacob's dream as an allegory. He is using this earlier event to illustrate a point so that it stays in the listener's mind. Instead of angels ascending and descending on a ladder, Jesus substitutes himself for the ladder. Thus, he makes the point that he will become the mediator or path between God and mankind.
"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
