Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
The question is posed with the expectation of a negative answer, but the true answer is, of course, yes!
The Jews thought very highly of Abraham but they did believe that Messiah would be greater than him as noted by this ancient commentator’s observations of (Isaiah 52:13):
“”Behold my servant shall deal prudently,” this is the King Messiah; “he shall be exalted” above Abraham, as it is written, Gen 14:22, “and extolled” above Moses, as it is written, Num 11:12, and he shall be higher than the ministering angels, as it is written, #Eze 1:26 Zec 4:7, for he shall be “greater than the fathers”.” (Tachuma apud Huls. p. 321.)
Isaiah 52:13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Genesis 14:22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath
Numbers 11:12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers?
Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.
Zechariah 4:7 “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”