Theme: Through signs and discourses, Jesus reveals himsel

1
John 2

• Images of New Salvation
• "New Joy" and "New Worship"

2
Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel

• Ch. 1 Introduction Prologue and Witness of John
• Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")
• Theme Through signs and discourses, Jesus
  reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save
  the world, but is rejected by the world.
• Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation
• Ch. 2 "New Joy" and "New Worship"
• Ch. 3 "New Birth" and "New Master"
• Ch. 4 "Living Water" and "New Life"
• Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility
• Ch. 11-12 Final rejection
• Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples ("Book of
  Passion/Glory")
• Ch. 21 Appendix Appearance in Galilee

3
First Sign Water into Wine (21-12)Images of
New Salvation New Joy

• At wedding feast in Cana, Jesus miraculously
  supplies good wine so party can go on.
• Bultmann story was borrowed from pagan Dionysus
  legends.
• Jesus relationship with his mother is
  problematic.
• Address as woman sounds disparaging, but
  parallels in Josephus show it can be affectionate
  (cf. 1926).
• What to me and to you? (cf. 2 Kgs. 313 2 Sam.
  1610 Mk. 57) does show tension (cf. Mk. 321,
  31-35).
• Hesitation to perform miracle is frequent motif.
• Implications for signs theology
• Signs Source (note numbering) emphasized
  positive function manifests Jesus glory and
  evokes faith response (v. 11).
• Evangelist is more critical miracles need not
  lead to faith require faith to be seen properly
  faith dependent on signs is immature.
• Positive role of signs Seen through eyes of
  faith, miracles become signs pointing to
  identity of Christ.

4
First Sign Water into Wine (21-12)Images of
New Salvation New Joy

• For Evangelist, story functions symbolically.
• Contrasts Jewish ceremonial system with New
  Salvation of Jesus.
• Six stone jars of water used for ritual
  purification symbolize Jewish ritualism.
• Remarkably fine wine symbolizes Jesus New
  Salvation
• Joy
• Fulfillment
• Abundance
• Perhaps a hint of suffering (my hour his
  glory)
• Cf. Isa. 256 (eschatological feast of wine) Mk.
  218-22 (new wine).
• Jesus brings a New Salvation that fulfills and
  replaces the Jewish system.
• Characterized by a New Joy that is real,
  lasting, and abundant.
• That good wine was saved until now reverses
  common assumption that what is older is better.
• Hints at suffering suggest that New Joy comes at
  a price.

5
Cleansing the Temple (213-25)Images of New
Salvation New Worship

• Synoptics place at end of ministry as last
  straw.
• Probably not done twice.
• Johns placement is thematic rather than
  chronological.
• Money-changers and animal-sellers in Court of
  Gentiles were essential to Temple function.
• Roman coins had to be changed unblemished
  sacrifice had to be purchased.
• Chief priests had turned this into greedy,
  exploitative system.
• Jesus stages symbolic action against
  corruption.
• Stop making my Fathers house a house of trade
  (cf. Zech. 1421).
• Cf. Mk. 1117 my house shall be called a house
  of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a
  den of robbers (Isa. 567 Jer. 711).
• Purifies Court of Gentiles for eschatological
  coming of Gentiles.
• More than symbolic cleansing prophetic
  judgment against Temple.

6
Cleansing the Temple (213-25)Images of New
Salvation New Worship

• Story implies destruction of Temple and
  replacement by death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Jesus action seals his fate Zeal for your
  house will consume me (Ps. 699).
• The Jews demand for a sign of authority is
  answered Destroy this temple and in three days
  I will raise it up (v.19 cf. Mk. 1458 1529).
• Jews are baffled work on Herods temple began
  in 20 BC.
• Narrator explains as referring to the temple of
  his body (cf. sign of Jonah in Mt. 1239-40).
• Jesus death and resurrection would replace
  Temple as basis of worship.
• Access to God is no longer confined to ritual
  institution but universal, through Spirit brought
  by Jesus death and resurrection (cf. 420-24).
• Cf. Qumran, which considered the community to be
  the new temple.

7
Cleansing the Temple (213-25)Images of New
Salvation New Worship

• Disciples understood this only after the
  resurrection (v. 22).
• Paraclete will help recall and illumine
  understanding (cf. 1426).
• Pre-Easter story is told from post-Easter
  perspective.
• Reaction scene (v. 23-25).
• Many believed because of Jesus signs.
• Jesus distrusts them does not accept their
  faith.
• Inadequacy of faith dependent on signs.

8
Model of Herods Temple
9
Model of Herods Temple
Court of Gentiles
10
Temple Mount Today
Click to Return to Outline