John 6:20 - ...and he says to them “I Am; Fear Not!”
He’s walking on water and then they’re immediately transported. Of course, He’s the Great “I am” and they should not fear.
In seminary, I guarantee you that would have been the discussion. We loved to jump on stuff like that. :>)
So far as “am” being a continued state of being, it’s a present tense state of being verb. It really doesn’t assume anything regarding the beginning or ending of that state of being.
“But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid.” (John 6:20)
so much for your Greek class.
In John 8:58 it is egō eimi and in John 6:20 it is eimi egō.
John 8:58 is translated "I am" and John 6:20 is translated "It is I" except for instance in Young's Literal where it is translated "I am."
More importantly as we have testified repeatedly on this thread, the context of John 8:58 - whether looking at the dialogue of John 8:48-59 or better still, the Gospel of John - vis-à-vis Scripture as a whole is unmistakeably clear:
God's Name is I AM!