Topic 14 Gospel of John: Jesus as Incarnate Word of God

1. Topic 14 Gospel of John: Jesus as Incarnate Word of God • Circumstances of origin • Authorship • Tradition – John the Apostle • Book itself is anonymous • Hints at role of “Beloved Disciple” (21:24-25)? • Mysterious, unnamed disciple present at Last Supper, Cross, empty Tomb, and Appearance by the Sea. • Closing verses hint that he played role in writing the book. • Same verses make distinction between he, we, and I: • He = Beloved Disciple – faithful witness to Jesus • We = Christian community – received his testimony • I = author or final editor of book • BD is not final author but may be underlying witness. • Place • Tradition – Ephesus • Other possibilities – Palestine or Syria • Date – c. 90-100 – latest of the canonical gospels

2. Circumstances of origin – cont. • Relationship to the Synoptics • Strong differences from Synoptics. • Chronology – 3 journeys to Jerusalem. • Form – long discourses; no exorcisms or parables. • Teaching – more explicit Christology. • Content – 90% of John has no Synoptic parallel. • John written independently – not based on Synoptics. • Synoptics are closer to historical Jesus; John is more theologically developed. • Can’t say Synoptics are historical and John is theological; there is blend of historical and theological in all gospels. • Historical Jesus is usually sought in Synoptics. • John is studied for its profound theological interpretation. • Unity – hints that book not written all at once, in final form • Ch. 21 – secondary addition to ch. 1-20 • Other secondary additions?

3. Circumstances of origin – cont. • Composition by stages • Oral tradition –going back to Beloved Disciple • Written sources – “Signs Source,” passion narrative, etc. • “Evangelist” – basic gospel writer produced first edition (ch. 1-20) • “Redactor” – final editor; added ch. 21; final form • Purpose • Purpose statement in 20:30-31 is unclear because of textual uncertainty: • Some manuscripts have “in order that you may come to believe” = purpose is to win converts. • Others read “that you may continue to believe” = purpose is to support a believing church. • Book as whole seems designed to support a Christian community engaged in a sharp conflict with a hostile Jewish synagogue.

4. Theological themes in John • Christology – highly developed; more explicit than Synoptics • Emphasizes divinity of Christ. • “I and the Father are one” (10:30). • Avoids human weaknesses (no temptation, agony in Gethsemane). • Affirms true humanity of Christ. • “Word became flesh” (1:14) – incarnation (= enfleshment). • Counters “docetism” – Gnostic heresy denying Christ really came in the flesh. • Christ is the “Logos” (= Word) of God • Background in Greek philosophy; OT; Jewish Wisdom. • Found only in Prologue (1:1-18) – based on Christian hymn. • Five characteristics of the Logos: • Pre-existent – eternal; existed before all time. • Divine – was “with God” and “was God.” • Agent of Creation–Creation is good; Creator = Redeemer. • Agent of Revelation – Creator is revealed in Creation. • Incarnated in Jesus – climax of God’s revelation.

5. Christology – cont. • Son (of God) • Father and Son: “One” (10:30) yet “distinct” (3:35; 14:31). • “Functional unity” of Father and Son (5:19-23). • Descent and ascent of Son of Man • Heavenly Son of Man; sent into world; returns to Father. • “Lifted up” (3:14; 8:28; 12:32) – double meaning of crucified and exalted. • “I am” sayings – 2 types: • Absolute – “I am.” • Recalls OT name of God – Yahweh (cf. Exod. 3:14). • Has Jesus claim the divine name (Jn. 18:4-6). • Predicate – “I am ______.” (Traditional symbols of salvation.) • Bread of Life (ch. 6) • Light of the World (ch. 8) • Gate for the Sheep (ch. 10) • Good Shepherd (ch. 10) • Resurrection and Life (ch. 11) • Way, Truth, and Life (ch. 14) • True Vine (ch. 15)

6. Theological themes in John – cont. • Signs (miracles) • Seven miracle stories – from written “Signs Source”? • The seven “Signs”: • Changing water into wine (ch. 2) • Healing an official’s son (ch. 4) • Healing a lame man (ch. 5) • Feeding the 5,000 (ch. 6) • Walking on the Sea (ch.6) • Healing a blind man (ch. 9) • Raising Lazarus (ch. 11) • Demonstrate (but do not “prove”) Jesus’ divinity (2:11). • Seen through eyes of faith, they become “signs” pointing to the nature of Christ. • John is also critical of faith that depends on signs (2:23-25; 4:49; 20:29). • Faith • Invitation to believe in Jesus (3:16-19). • “Judgment” occurs in one’s decision for/against Jesus.

7. Theological themes in John – cont. • “Realized” eschatology • Emphasis is on the present – eschaton (end) has moved into the present. • Resurrection, judgment, eternal life – NOW! (5:24-29; 11:21-26). • Paraclete (title for Holy Spirit) • Lit.: advocate; counselor; comforter; helper. • Found in “Farewell Discourse” (ch. 14-16). • Functions of the Paraclete: • Takes place of Jesus (14:15-18). • Recalls (and illuminates) Jesus’ teaching (14:25-26). • Guides into all the truth (16:12-15).

8. Outline of John ch. 1 Introduction Prologue (v. 1-18) – begins “in the beginning” Witness of John the Baptist (v. 19-51) • Baptism not reported; John (and his disciples) bear witness to Jesus. • Numerous lofty titles applied to Jesus; no “messianic secret.” ch. 2-12 Public Ministry (“Book of Signs”) ch. 2-4 New Salvation ch. 2 1st Sign: Water into wine (new joy) • Symbolizes contrast between old and new orders. • Jesus’ salvation is abundant, full of joy. Temple-cleansing– moved to beginning of ministry • Promise to “rebuild temple in three days.” • Temple religion is replaced by death/resurrection of Jesus. ch. 3 Nicodemus: questions Jesus at night (“new birth”) • “Born again” also means “born from above.” • Nicodemus misunderstands as referring to physical birth. ch. 4 Samaritan woman: conversation at Jacob’s well (“living water”) • Promise of “living water;” woman misunderstands. • Proper location of Temple; worship not bound to temple. 2nd Sign: Healing an official’s son • Jesus heals dying son from a distance; rebukes faith dependent on “seeing signs.” • Key point: official believes before seeing miracle (v. 50).

9. ch. 2-12 Public Ministry – cont. ch. 5-10 Jesus the Salvation-Bringer ch. 5 3rd Sign: Healing a lame man(Sabbath) Controversy over Jesus’ authority ch. 6 4th Sign: Feeding 5,000 – only miracle in all 4 gospels 5th Sign: Walking on Sea Bread of Life Discourse • I am the Bread of Life – Jesus is true manna from heaven. • Combines Exodus, Passover, and Lord’s Supper themes. ch. 7-8 Controversies [Woman caught in adultery (7:53-8:11)] • Not in oldest and best manuscripts; not orig. in Jn. • Sounds like piece of Synoptic tradition. I am the Light of the World ch. 9 6th Sign: Healing a blind man (Sabbath) • His parents refuse to give opinion of Jesus for fear that “the Jews” will expel them from the synagogue (v. 22). • Reflects language, situation at time of Jamnia (c. 90). ch. 10 Jesus the Good Shepherd • I am the Gate. I am the Good Shepherd.

10. ch. 2-12 Public Ministry – cont. ch. 11-12 Jesus Rejected by the World ch. 11 7th Sign: Raising Lazarus – climactic miracle • Provokes resolve of authorities to kill Jesus. I am the Resurrection and the Life ch. 12 Withdrawal from public ministry ch. 13-20 Ministry to the Disciples (“Book of Passion”) ch. 13 Last Supper • Like Synoptics: in Jerusalem; night before crucifixion; prediction of betrayal. • Unlike Synoptics: • Not a Passover meal. • No “words of institution” (This is my body…this is my blood.). • Foot-washing (symbolizes Jesus’ sacrificial service; sets example).

11. ch. 13-20 Ministry to the Disciples – cont. ch. 14-16 Farewell Discourse ch. 14 Assurance • “Let not your hearts be troubled…” (v. 1-3). • I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (v. 6). • Promise of the Paraclete (v. 16-18, 25-26). ch. 15 Challenge • I am the True Vine. • Bear fruit by “abiding in him,” = keeping his commandments • “Love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). ch. 16 Warning • The world will hate and persecute you (15:18; 16:2). • “I have conquered the world” (16:33). ch. 17 Jesus’ Prayer

12. ch. 13-20 Ministry to the Disciples – cont. ch. 18-19 Passion narrative • Jesus is in total control (cf. 10:18). • Dies on Passover eve as true Passover lamb. • Legs were not broken – as Passover lamb’s were not. • Spear thrust – blood and water confirm death. ch. 20 Resurrection • Empty tomb– Mary Magdalene; Peter and “Beloved Disciple” • Appearances • Mary Magdalene • Disciples without Thomas • Disciples with Thomas (v. 25, 29) • First ending of book (20:30-31) ch. 21 Appendix: Resurrection appearance in Galilee • Marvelous catch of fish • Rehabilitation of Peter (v. 17) • Second ending of book (21:24-25)

13. John 3:16-19 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Return