This is a difficult passage and it really depends on the broader context. In fact, the immediate context runs from John 5 though 7, where the question is raised. (It is actually raised repeatedly through John.)
I am under to gun to finish some projects, so I have put that conversation over there on hold. For some reason, the people in that forum do not think participants have a life.
My study in that text led me to Wayne Meeks and Peder Borgen's works. While I differ with them in some aspects of the analysis, they are important scholars in this area.
I actually am making some revisions to the analysis and plan to submit it to JETS or JBL. If I get a chance, I will send it to you. (Sorry, but low on my to do list.)
