THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

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(No Transcript)
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REVIEW

• At this point in examinationnot interested in
  historical Jesus
• Matthew, Mark, and Luke distinctive shape to the
  same basic story of Jesus by editing and altering
  their shared traditions
• Close reading of their presentations tell us
  about them as conveyers of the tradition more
  than it informs us about Jesus
• For example Tradition holds that Jesus
  performed miracles
• However The how, when, the actual dialogue, the
  consequences of any one miracle are always the
  creation of the author (based on their agenda,
  bias and convictions)
• Therefore what we glean from a scholarly study
  of the gospels is specific insight into the
  author and only general knowledge about the
  subject

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TUTORIAL

• Read carefully the story of the Samaritan woman
  at the well (John 41-44)
• How do the people who converse with Jesus come
  across to you as a reader?
• How does Jesus come across in his dialogue with
  them?
• What is a typical feature of the dialogue that
  Jesus has both with the woman and with his own
  disciples?
• How do these conversations compare with the one
  Jesus had back in chapter 31-21 with Nicodemus?
• In terms of words expressed, how does the Jesus
  of John compare with the Jesus of the Synoptic
  gospels?
• What do you notice about content, volume and
  vocabulary in John that is not evident in the
  Synoptics?
• What do you think of this Jesus in John's Gospel?

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AUTHORSHIP

• This gospel has always been attributed to a John,
  whom Irenaeus says was the disciple of the Lord
  who wrote at Ephesus (Against Heresies III.1.1)
• Narrative itself invites speculation concerning
  an anonymous disciple (John 13542 1815-18)
• Identified as one whom Jesus loved (1323
  1926 202-9)
• Identified as an authoritative witness (1935
  2120-24)
• John, the disciple, is never mentioned in the
  gospel (212 only refers to the sons of Zebedee
  who were John and James)
• John more fundamentally transmutes the story of
  Jesus as a whole, giving the term Gospel still
  another dimension

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INTRODUCTION

• If it can be said that
• The historical Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of
  God
• and the early church proclaimed Jesus
• then in the Fourth Gospel, Jesus proclaims himself

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INTRODUCTION

• Jesus is presented as
• The worker of signs which declare him as equal to
  God
• The one from the heavenly world
• Who knows all things
• Who descends to the world
• Who reveals his glory before disciples and
  mankind
• Who returns to that heavenly world from which he
  came

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INTRODUCTION

• For the writer of the gospel
• It is the significance of the Christ that matters
  not the details about Jesus
• Jesus was, is and always will be the divine Son
  of God

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OUTLINE

• The prologue (11-18)
• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Jesus Special Revelation to His Disciples and
  His Return to the Father (131-2031)
• The Epilogue (211-25)

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OUTLINE

• The prologue (11-18)
• Introduces 2 concepts
• The idea of the Word (logos) becoming flesh
• This borrowing from Greek thought is unique to
  John
• It is an eternal and universal reason
• It expresses the status of the pre-incarnate
  Christ
• It, the Word, was BEFORE CREATION
• It, the Word, was the AGENT OF CREATION
• It, the Word, became flesh

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OUTLINE

• The prologue (11-18)
• Introduces 2 concepts
• The Sonship (Messiahship) of Jesus
• Different interpretations of when it this was
  realized among early Christians
• One early interpretation Sonship began at
  resurrection
• Mark Sonship began at the baptism
• Matthew/Luke Sonship from birth
• John Sonship is eternal (higher Christology)

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• This status was revealed through SIGNS SERMONS
• 112 But to all who received him, who believed
  in his name, he gave power to become children
  of God, 113 who were born, not of blood or of
  the will of the flesh or of the will of man,
  but of God
• A status only recognized by the children of God

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SERMONS are more the authors meditations than
  the actual words of Jesus
• Note the use of John the Baptist
• 16 There was a man sent from God, whose
  name was John. 17 He came as a witness to
  testify to the light, so that all might
  believe through him
• John the Baptist simply points him out
• John the Baptist does not baptize Jesus!

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• FIRST SIGN of Jesus (21-12)
• Marriage feast at Cana of Galilee
• Six stone jars filled with water transformed into
  wine
• Quality far exceeded previous wine
• Jews water and stone jars Jesus wine
• Symbolizing Jesus as the bringer of a better new

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• FIRST SIGN followed by FIRST SERMON
• Cleansing of the Temple (1st in John last in
  Synoptics)
• Declared replacement of temple with his body
• 219 Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple,
  and in three days I will raise it up.
• Symbolizing Jesus as the bringer of a better new

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Theme of NEWNESS repeated twice more in dialogues
• With the Pharisee Nicodemus (31-21)
• Unlike the Synoptics, John has Jesus give very
  long speeches
• Often an issue is raised and Jesus responds
  confusing whomever he is talking to
• Further dialogue develops the central theme

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Theme of NEWNESS repeated twice more in dialogues
• With the Pharisee Nicodemus (31-21)
• Theme of new birth for entrance into kingdom
• 33 Jesus answered him, Very truly, I tell you,
  no one can see the kingdom of God without being
  born from above. Note Greek anothen born
  again/from above
• 34 Nicodemus said to him, How can anyone be
  born after having grown old? Can one enter a
  second time into the mothers womb and be born?
• Nicodemus takes it literally Jesus means it
  spiritually

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Theme of NEWNESS repeated twice more in dialogues
• With the Pharisee Nicodemus (31-21)
• Writer has a pronounced affection for symbolism
• Also likes words with double meaningsExamples
  again/above spirit/wind
• Also uses many contrastive expressionsExamples
  earthly/heavenly light/darkness
  spirit/flesh

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Theme of NEWNESS repeated twice more in dialogues
• With the Samaritan woman at the well (41-42)
• Also emphasizes the aspect of newness
• Discussion of living water granting eternal life
• Discussion of new worship (see next slide)

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421 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the
hour is coming when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain Mt Gerizim nor in
Jerusalem. 422 You worship what you do not
know we worship what we know, for salvation is
from the Jews. 423 But the hour is coming, and
is now here, when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the
Father seeks such as these to worship him. 424
God is spirit, and those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth.
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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SECOND SIGN of Jesus (446-54)
• The healing of the officials son
• Healed without Jesus actually visiting the child
• Immediately followed by . . .

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• THIRD SIGN of Jesus (51-18)
• Man at the pool of Bethzatha in Jerusalem on
  Sabbath
• 517 But Jesus answered them, My Father is
  still working, and I also am working. 518
  For this reason the Jews were seeking all the
  more to kill him, because he was not only
  breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God
  his own Father, thereby making himself equal to
  God.
• Explains the animosity of the Jews

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SERMON of Jesus (519-41)
• Essentially to declare the three witness of
  Jesus authority
• John the Baptist (531-35)
• Jesus works (536)
• The Father who sent him (537-47)

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• FOURTH SIGN of Jesus (61-14)
• Feeding the five thousand with loaves and fishes
• Followed immediately with the next sign
• FIFTH SIGN of Jesus (615-21)
• Walking on the sea (power over water)
• These two signs are then followed by two SERMONS

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SERMONS of Jesus (622859)
• Jesus as bread of life (622-71)
• 654 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood
  have eternal life.
• Sacramental interpretation of Eucharist is
  evident
• Note that there is no celebration of the Passover
  meal with Jesus and his disciples (as in the
  Synoptics) in Johnno first Eucharist!

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SERMONS of Jesus (622859)
• Jesus as the one sent by God (chs. 7-8)
• Jesus proclaims it (725-36)
• Proclaims to be the source of living water
  (737-39)
• Proclaims to be the light of the world (812-59)
• Makes blanket condemnation of the Jews
• 844 You are from your father the devil, and
  you choose to do your fathers desires.

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SIXTH SIGN of Jesus (91-17)
• Healing the blind man at the Pool of Siloam
• Followed by dialogue between them
• The healed man bears witness to Jesus (918-34)
• SERMON of Jesus as door of the sheepfold and as
  the good shepherd (101-38)
• Interrelationship between SIGN, dialogue and
  discourse (sermon) The Question of Discipleship

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SIXTH SIGN of Jesus (91-17)
• Healed man banned from synagogue due to his
  confession of Jesus
• The author is making Jesus relevant for his day
• The church and the synagogue are in conflict
• This discourse assures converts Jesus is the true
  shepherd
• 1011 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
  lays down his life for the sheep.

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• SEVENTH and final SIGN of Jesus (111-44)
• The raising of Lazarus
• Sign of the resurrection of Lazarus (dead 4 days)
  forms a point of departure for this section
• Chief priests and Pharisees react by plotting
  Jesus death in order to preserve the peace with
  Rome
• Many believed because of this one sign, yet . . .

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OUTLINE

• The Revelation of Jesus to the World (119-1250)
• Consequences (11451250)
• 1237 Although he had performed so many signs in
  their presence, they did not believe in him.
• Jesus then concludes
• 1248 The one who rejects me and does not
  receive my word has a judge . . .

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OUTLINE

• Jesus Special Revelation to His Disciples and
  His Return to the Father (131-2031)
• Johns Passion Narrative (trial, crucifixion,
  resurrection)
• Narrative portions follow synoptic tradition
  loosely
• Major differences
• Interpretation of the last supper (not a Passover
  meal)
• Omission of the Eucharistic words
• Different date of the crucifixion
• Insertion of a lengthy discourse during farewell
  meal

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OUTLINE

• Jesus Special Revelation to His Disciples and
  His Return to the Father (131-2031)
• Johns Passion Narrative (trial, crucifixion,
  resurrection)
• Narrative introduces new themes
• 151-11 Jesus the True Vine branches with fruit
  are the true disciples non-fruited branches will
  be cut off (cf. Paul)
• 1518-1611 Hatred of the world for Christians
  (again, a sense of Johns community and what they
  are experiencing)

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OUTLINE

• Jesus Special Revelation to His Disciples and
  His Return to the Father (131-2031)
• Johns Passion Narrative (trial, crucifixion,
  resurrection)
• Narrative concludes
• 2030 Now Jesus did many other signs in the
  presence of his disciples, which are not
  written in this book.
• 2031 But these are written so that you may come
  to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son
  of God, and that through believing you may
  have life in his name.
• But wait . . .

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OUTLINE

• The Epilogue (211-25)
• An appearance unique in John of Jesus with his
  disciples
• Also meant to clarify misunderstanding about
  the author
• 2123 So the rumor spread in the community that
  this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not
  say to him that he would not die, but, If it
  is my will that he remain until I come, what is
  that to you?
• 2124 This is the disciple who is testifying to
  these things and has written them, and we know
  that his testimony is true.
• Suggests that the same author did not write the
  final chapter

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• Recognizing An Authors Agenda
• The story in a literary text often may not match
  history
• What happened in the historical and social texts
  does not always correspond with what happens in
  the narrative world of the text created by an
  author
• When this happens, scholars seek to learn why an
  author changes the tradition that is before him
• Reading the text carefully can aid in uncovering
  the authors agenda or purpose in adjusting the
  tradition

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• All Four Gospels Agree
• Jesus crucified on the FRIDAY (day of Sabbath
  prep)(Matt 2762 Mk 1542 Lk 2354 Jn 1931)
• BUT on what date was he executed?
• Remember
• Jewish Passover is the 15 Nissan (no matter what
  day of the week it isit is always on the same
  date of the month!)
• Passover preparation begins the day before
• A new day begins at SUNSET not sunrise

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (MARK)
• MARK 1412
• On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the
  Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said
  to him, Where do you want us to go and make the
  preparations for you to eat the Passover?
• They made preparations for Passover the DAY
  BEFORE the Passover itself (Thursday)
• On the 14 NISAN (at noon) the Passover lamb is
  sacrificed

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (MARK)
• MARK 1417-18
• When it was evening, he came with the twelve.
  And when they had taken their places and were
  eating, Jesus said, Truly I tell you, one of you
  will betray me, one who is eating with me.
• They gathered to eat the Passover meal that night
  which is the NEXT DAY, the evening of the 15
  NISAN
• Later that same night Jesus went to the Mount of
  Olives, was arrested, was put before the
  Sanhedrin
• The next morning, Jesus was taken before Pontius
  Pilate, executed, and buriedall before sundown
  and all on the 15 NISAN

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (JOHN)
• JOHN 131
• Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus
  knew that his hour had come to depart from this
  world and go to the Father.
• We are explicitly told that it is BEFORE the
  Passover but no day is indicated

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (JOHN)
• JOHN 1828
• Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilates
  headquarters. It was early in the morning. They
  themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as
  to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat
  the Passover.
• Jewish leadership avoided ritual defilement in
  order to eat Passover which means they have not
  had the Passover meal yet
• We know that it is Friday but what date would
  this be?
• 14 Nissan

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (JOHN)
• JOHN 1914
• Now it was the day of Preparation for the
  Passover and it was about noon. He said to the
  Jews, Here is your King!
• The day of preparation is on 14 NISAN
• Around noon the Passover lamb is sacrificed
• John clearly wants Jesus to be the sacrificial
  lamb
• He therefore moves the date of arrest, trial and
  execution to the day of Passover preparation
• Can you guess which is the only Gospel that
  identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God?

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• The Date of Jesus Execution (JOHN)
• JOHN 129
• The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and
  declared, Here is the Lamb of God who takes away
  the sin of the world!
• JOHN 136
• And as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed,
  Look, here is the Lamb of God!
• John foreshadows his personal theological
  interpretation of Jesus execution

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DATE OF CRUCIFIXION

• Conclusion
• Mark, Matthew and Luke record Jesus as executed
  on the 15 Nissan
• John pushes the execution back one day to the 14
  Nissan
• All four narratives agree on main points Jesus
  died by order of the Romans during the Passover
  season
• However, the literary text simply does not
  match-up with the historical/social text
• Gospel of John author wants to symbolize the
  death, not report it

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GOSPEL OF JOHN

• Introduction
• Visual Bible International produced it
• In 2002, they hired various OT/NT scholars to be
  on a committee
• To oversee the authenticity of production
• Though sometimes advice was ignored
• Examples stirrups and Mary Magdalene
• To add insight into interpreting the text
  visually
• It was decided to use the Good News Version

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GOSPEL OF JOHN

• Difficulty of moving from literary to visual
  medium
• Many unnamed speakers and redundant narration
  who should speak on film?
• Who to put in any particular scene?
• Raises all kinds of class, gender, cultural
  issues
• Where do you place a scene?
• How does an actor deliver his or her line?

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GOSPEL OF JOHN

• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• JESUS, SON OF GOD
• How is Jesus presented differently in the Gospel
  of John than in the Synoptics?
• Is he simply a religious figure or more?
• THE WORLD OF JESUS
• What was life like in the first century?
• What were Jewish beliefs and expectations?
• WORD FOR WORD
• What were the challenges in making a film based
  on the text?
• PRODUCTION DESIGNScreenwriter - John Goldsmith