The Gospelaccording to John[“The Fourth Gospel”]

Catholic Bible InstituteFelix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Loyola Institute for Spirituality

P52: John Rylands Papyrus #457

Oldest fragment of NT – early 2nd cent.! With part of John 18:31-33, 37-38 (Jesus' trial)

John: Basic BibliographySimple Commentaries for Groups:

Brown, Raymond. The Gospel & Epistles of John. 1988. Quast, Kevin. Reading the Gospel of John. 1991. Lewis, Scott. The Gospel acc. to John and the Johannine

Letters. New Collegeville Bible Commentary, 2005.Larger Commentaries for Leaders:

Brown, Raymond. An Intro to the Gospel of John. 2003. Moloney, Francis J. The Gospel of John. Sacra Pagina,

1998.Online: http://catholic-resources.org/John/ (FJ’’s

website)

Gospel acc. to John: Outlines Prologue: 1:1-18

Logos Hymn: Word in beginning with God; Word becomes Flesh

“Book of Signs”: 1:19 – 12:50 Cana Wedding, Nicodemus Dialogue, Samaritan Woman, Healing at

Bethesda Pool, Bread of Life, Man Born Blind, Raising Lazarus, etc.

“Book of Glory”: 13:1 – 20:31 Last Supper: Washing Feet, Farewell Discourses, Jesus’ Prayer Passion Narrative: Arrest, Trials, Crucifixion, Burial Resurrection Appearances: esp. to Mary Magdalene & Thomas

Epilogue: 21:1-25 Another Res. Appearance at Sea of Tiberias/Galilee - added later

Literary-Historical IssuesWHO?traditional author

John, son of Zebedee; one of 12 apostles (Mark 1:19; 3:17; cf. John 21:2)

WHO?implied author

“Beloved Disciple” (orig. from Jerusalem?)& his Jewish-Xn followers (19:35; 21:20-24)

TO WHOM?implied audience

very mixed groups: mostly Jews, some Gentiles, Samaritans, etc.

WHAT?subtype of "Gospel"

much “testimony” and “signs” for believers (20:30-31; 21:24-25)

WHERE?written from/to

originally in Galilee or Syria; traditionally in Ephesus (Asia Minor)

WHEN?approximate date

main edition 90's (early edition 50's? epilogue after 100?)

WHY?author's purpose

strengthen a group ostracized by other Jews for believing that Jesus is the Messiah

John the Evangelist on Patmos (?)

Hans Burgkmair the Elder, 1508

Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Who Is "John"? "Gospel ACCORDING TO…" not "OF"

Titles are not original (not 1st century) 2nd century Attributions to "Apostles"

John – Popular Name in 1st Century John (Baptist), son of Zechariah & Elizabeth – 91x John (Apostle), son of Zebedee, brother of James – 30x The father of Simon Peter – 4x in FG John Mark of Jerusalem – 5x in Acts John, member of a high priestly family – 1x in Acts John, the Seer of the Book of Revelation – 4x in Rev 1

Which One Wrote the Fourth Gospel? B.D. = "Disciple whom Jesus Loved"? (13:23; 19:26f; etc.) Prob. not same as anonymous "Elder" (2 John 1; 3 John)

Recall: BOTH/AND ApproachAll FOUR Gospels are:

Both SIMILAR and DIFFERENT

Both DIVINE and HUMAN

Both APOSTOLIC and ANONYMOUS

Both HISTORICAL and THEOLOGICAL

Four Evangelists & Their SymbolsFra Angelico. 1447-1449. Ceiling fresco. Capella

Nicolina, Vatican.

Literary Features of FG (see HO, 4-7)

Greater Focus on JERUSALEM

Literary Genres: fewer narratives; more dialogues

Simple but Highly Symbolic Language

Dualistic Opposites

Poetic Format

Misunderstandings and Multiple Meanings

Literary Features of FG (see HO, 4-7)

Ironic Statements

Irony Conveying Deeper Truths

Parenthetical Explanations

Literary Threads: esp. Jesus’ “Hour”

Transitional Passages

Representative Named Individuals

Conventions of Ancient Theater

The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)A) 1-5: Jesus & the disciples

relation of sin & blindness

B) 6-7: Jesus & the blind personbringing the person to physical sight

C1) 8-12: neighbors & ex-blind personquestion of person’s identity; process of healing

D1) 13-17: ex-blind person & Phariseesdiscussion of Jesus’ origin: from God? sinful?

C2) 18-23: parents & Jewish authoritiesquestion of person’s identity; process of healing

D2) 24-34: ex-blind person & authoritiesdiscussion of Jesus’ origin: from God? sinful?

B') 35-38: Jesus & ex-blind personbringing the person to full spiritual insight

A') 39-41: Jesus & the Pharisees relation of sin & blindness

CHIASMS (<Greek “Chi”)

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Literary Structures: CHIASM

“Chiasm” or “Chiasmus” or “Chiastic Text” Greek letter Chi (shaped “X”): look at left side only Ancient rhetorical style: helps in memorizing texts First & second halves balanced: in reverse order Highlight in the Middle: not like today, climax at end

A B A’A B C B’ A’A B C D C’ B’ A’A B C D E D’ C’ B’ A’A B C D E F G H I J K J’ I’ H’ G’ F’ E’ D’ C’ B’ A’etc. 14

Literary Structures: CHIASM

AB

CD

ED’

C’B’

A’

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Examples of Ancient Chiasms Old Testament:

Gen 17:1-25 Exod 3:7-20 Deut 32 Isaiah (several) Eccl 11:3—12:2

New Testament: 2 Thess 2:1-14 Col? Eph? Phlm? Hebr 12:1-2

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Examples of Chiasms in John

John 1:1-18 John 2:13-22 John 6:1-15 John 6:16-25 John 13:1-21 John 17:1-28 All of John 13–17 John 21:1-14 Many More

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Feeding of 5000 (John 6:1-15)A) Geographical and Temporal Intro: Sea of Galilee (Sea of Tiberias); large crowd followed Jesus, since they saw the SIGNS he was doing; he goes up a mountain; Jewish feast of Passover was near (vv. 1-4)

B) Jesus asks Philip: “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”Philip replies: “Two hundred days wages would not be enough” (vv. 5-7)

C) Andrew, one of his disciples, suggests: “Here’s a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, but what good is that for so many people?” (vv. 8-9)

D) Jesus orders: “Have the people recline”; about 5000 men recline on grass (v. 10) E) Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them... (v.11a)D') to those who were reclining; also of the fish, as much as they wanted (vv. 11b)

C') Jesus tells his disciples to collect the fragments; they fill 12 wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves (vv. 12-13a)

B') Which were leftovers from those who had eaten (v. 13b)A') The people saw the SIGN and say, “This is the Prophet who is to come to the world”; Jesus knew they want to make him a king, so he withdrew to the mountain alone (vv. 14-15) 18

Walking on Water (John 6:16-25)A) In the evening, his disciples go down to the sea, get in a boat, cross the sea to Capernaum (vv.16-17a)

B) Already dark, Jesus had not come; sea is stirred up, strong wind blowing (vv.17b-18)

C) They row 3-4 miles, see Jesus walking on the sea, coming near the boat (v.19ab)

D) They are afraid (v. 19c)

E) Jesus says, “I AM” (ego eimi - v. 20a)D') “Do not be afraid” (v. 20b)

C') They want to take him into the boat, but immediately arrive at shore (v. 21)

B') Next day, the crowd realizes Jesus had not gone in the boat with his disciples (v. 22)

A') Other boats come from Tiberias; near where they had eaten the bread; crowd sees that Jesus and his disciples are not there, get into boats, go to Capernaum; find Jesus across the sea, and ask: “When did you get here?” (vv. 23-25)

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Last Supper (John 13—17)

Overall Chiastic Structure: The Washing of the Feet (13:1-30) The Last Supper Discourse (13:31—16:33) The Prayer of Jesus (17:1-26)

Historical Expansion: Original ending at 14:31 – “Get up, let us go.” (NAB) Cont. with 18:1 – “When he had said this, Jesus went out…”

Chaps. 15—17 added later, thus easily written chiastically20

Washing of Feet (John 13:1-30)

A) Before the festival, Jesus knew his hour had come to depart from this world… (v. 1)B) DEVIL had put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray Jesus. (v. 2)

C) During supper Jesus got up from table, to wash and dry his disciples’ feet (vv. 3-5)D) Jesus & Peter: “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Jesus about Judas: “For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” (vv. 6-11)

E) “Do you know what I have done to you?” / Teacher & Lord (vv. 12-14)

F) “I have set you an example; you also should do as I have done to you.” (v. 15)E’) Servants & Masters / “If you know these things, you’re blessed if you do them.” (vv.16-17)

D’) Jesus to disciples: “I am not speaking of all of you…”Jesus about Judas: “Amen, amen, one of you will betray me.”Disciples are uncertain of whom he was speaking (vv. 18-22)

C’) Peter asks the Beloved Disciple to question Jesus, reclining next to him (vv. 23-26a)B’) Jesus gives bread to Judas son of Simon Iscariot, and SATAN entered into him. (vv. 26b-27a)

A’) No one at table knew what/why Jesus spoke to Judas; it was the festival; After receiving the bread, Judas went out. And it was night. (vv. 27b-30)

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Last Supper Discourse (13:31–16:33)A) 13:31-38 - Introduction: Jesus gives new Love Commandment; foretells Peter's denials B) 14:1-7 - Don't let your hearts be troubled; I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life C) 14:8-14 - Seeing and Believing in Jesus and in the Father; Mutual Indwelling D) 14:15-24 - The Paraclete, Spirit of Truth; Keep the Commands/Words of Jesus E) 14:25-31 - The Paraclete, whom the Father sends in my name; I Love the Father F) 15:1-10 - The Vine and the Branches; Remain in Me, as I Remain in You

G) 15:11 – Purpose/Goal: My JOY in You; Your JOY Complete

F') 15:12-17 - My Commandment: Love One Another as I Have Loved You E') 15:18-27 - The World Hates You; the Paraclete, whom I will send from the Father D') 16:1-11 - Opposition from the World; the Paraclete won't come unless I go C') 16:12-15 - Speaking and Hearing the Truth; the Glory of the Father B') 16:16-24 – You’ll no longer see me; you’ll have pain; later your joy will be completeA') 16:25-33 - Conclusion: Jesus speaks plainly about Father's Love & Disciples' Scattering

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Great Prayer of Jesus (John 17:1-26)

A) 1-3: Jesus’ hour of glory has come; he gives eternal life and knowledge to believers

B) 4-8: Jesus’ work glorifying & revealing the Father is complete C) 9-12: Jesus prays that God protect the believers

who are still in the world D) 13: Jesus’ return to the Father will make

the JOY of all who believe complete C') 14-19: Jesus prays that God sanctify the believers

who are not of the world B') 20-23: Jesus’ unity with Father completes unity of all believersA') 24-26: Jesus’ glory reveals the Father;

believers have the knowledge and love of God23

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”Translations:

“Amen, amen, I say to you…” “Truly, Truly, I tell you…” “Very truly I say to you…” “I tell you the truth…”

Meaning/Effect: “Hear Ye! Hear Ye!” “Listen Up!” “Here’s a key point!”

“Amen” in the Hebrew Bible Amen = agreement, certainty, faithfulness

Comes from Hebrew noun for “faith” Greek transliteration: αμην

Used at end of some psalms, curses, blessings, prayers, and prophecies Hearers reply, "So be it!" "Yes, I agree!" Deut 27:15-26; 1 Kings 1:36; 1 Chron 16:36; Neh 5:13; Ps 106:48;

Jer 28:6 Sometimes repeated twice for emphasis

Num 5:22; Neh 8:6; Ps 41:13; 72:19; 89:52

“Amen” in the New Testament Used 28 times at end of doxologies, blessings, and other

prayers Rom 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 15:33; 16:27; 1 Cor 14:16; 2 Cor 1:20;

Gal 1:5; 6:18; Eph 3:21; Phil 4:20; 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:16; 2 Tim 4:18; Heb 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11; 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25; Rev 1:6, 7; 3:14; 5:14; 7:12 [2x]; 19:4; 22:20

Used 101 times in four Gospels Only person who says "Amen" is Jesus (except Mark 16:8) Jesus begins statements, "Amen, I say to you..." Thus, it emphasizes what he says subsequently Synoptics: 50 times (14x in Mk; 31x in Mt; only 6x in Lk) John: 25 times, only & always doubled, “Amen, Amen”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To Nathanael in Galilee:

1:51 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

To Nicodemus in Jerusalem: 3:3 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom

of God without being born from above.” 3:5 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the

kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” 3:11 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know

and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To the Jews in Jerusalem after a Sabbath

Healing: 5:19 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing

on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.”

5:24 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

5:25 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To Galilean Crowds after Multiplication of the

Loaves: 6:26 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, you are looking for me,

not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”

6:32 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.”

6:47 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.”

6:53 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To Jews in Jerusalem during the Feast of

Tabernacles: 8:34 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who

commits sin is a slave to sin.” 8:51 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my

word will never see death.” 8:58 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was,

I am.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…” To the Pharisees after Healing of the Man Born Blind:

10:1 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.”

10:7 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.”

To the Disciples after Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem: 12:24 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of

wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…” To Disciples after Washing of the Feet:

13:16 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.”

13:20 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

13:21 – After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

To Simon Peter at the Last Supper: 13:38 – “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I tell

you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To all Disciples at the Last Supper:

14:12 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”

16:20 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.”

16:23 – “On that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

“AMEN, AMEN, I say to you…”To Simon Peter after the Resurrection:

21:18 – “Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”

Jesus in the Fourth Gospel:

Amen!Amen!

John vs. Synoptics1) Material found only in the Fourth Gospel,

not in the Synoptics (Matt, Mark, Luke): Prologue (1:1-18) "Signs," starting with Wedding at Cana (2:1-12) Dialogue with Nicodemus (2:23—3:21) Samaritan Woman at the Well (4:1-42) Sick Man at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1-18) Bread of Life Discourse (6:22-65) [ Woman caught in Adultery (7:53—8:11) ]

John vs. Synoptics (cont.)

1) Material only in John, not in Synoptics (cont.): Man Born Blind (9:1-41) Lazarus Raised from the Dead (11:1-44) Washing the Disciples’ Feet (13:1-20) Last Supper Discourses (13:31—16:33) Great Prayer of Jesus (17:1-26) Resurrection Appearance to Mary Magdalene

(20:11-18; cf. Matt 28:9) Resurrection Appearance to Thomas (20:24-29) Resurrection Appearance at Sea of Tiberias

(21:1-25; cf. Luke 5:1-11)

John vs. Synoptics (cont.)

2) Synoptic materials No Infancy Narrative No Childhood Episodes No Baptism of Jesus No Temptation in the Desert No Calls to Repentance No Sermon on the Mount No Beatitudes No Lord’s Prayer No List of "Twelve Apostles" No Mission of the Disciples

during Jesus’ Lifetime

not in John’s Gospel: No Parables No "Kingdom of God" No Ethical Teachings No Exorcisms No Transfiguration No Passion Predictions No Institution of the Eucharist at

the Last Supper No Predictions of Jesus’ Return No Ascension Narrative Etc. ?

John vs. Synoptics (cont.)

3) Materials significantly different in the Gospels:

Synoptics JohnJesus’ ministry lasts about one year

Jesus’ ministry spans three Passovers

John Baptist is "Elijah"; preaches repentance

John is not Elijah but a "witness" to Jesus

Jesus’ ministry begins after J.B.’s arrest

Jesus’ ministry overlaps with John’s

First four disciples: two pairs of brothers:Simon & Andrew; James & John

First five disciples: Andrew & anon. second;Simon Peter; Philip; Nathanael

Many "miracles" but few longer speeches

Few "signs" but long monologues & dialogues

Jesus’ opponents: Sadducees, Herodians, etc.

Jesus’ opponents: "the Jews" & "the world"

Opponents plot to kill Jesus, various reasons

Opponents try to stone Jesus, for blasphemy

Only one journey to Jerusalem Multiple visits to Jerusalem

Temple cleansing: week before Jesus’ death

Temple cleansing at start of Jesus’ ministry

John vs. Synoptics (cont.)

3) MORE materials very different in the Gospels:

Synoptics JohnAnointing at Bethany by anonymous woman;objection by anonymous people

Anointing at Bethany by Lazarus’ sis Mary; objection by Judas Iscariot

Last Supper is the Passover Meal;

Jesus is crucified on the Day of Passover

Last Supper is before Passover; Jesus dies on Preparation Day before Passover

"Love your neighbors"; "Love your enemies"

"Love one another" (focus on/in community)

Peter is first, most prominent of "apostles"

Mary Magdalene, Martha of Bethany, "Beloved Disciple" prominent "disciples"

Future Eschatology: "Kingdom of God" coming

Realized Eschatology: "Eternal Life" now

“Place” called "Gethsemane“; Betrayal through Judas’ kiss

"Garden" in Kidron Valley; Jesus IDs himself to the arresting soldiers

Women prepare spices to anoint Jesus’ body after his burial

Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus

anoint Jesus’ body before his burial

Symbols of the Four Evangelists

St. Ignatius Church, SF

John vs. Synoptics (cont.)

Questions for Group Discussion: “So What?”1. What is the significance of all the new material

found only in the Fourth Gospel?2. Why does the Fourth Gospel omit so many stories

found in the Synoptic Gospels?3. Does the Fourth Evangelist presume the reader

knows the material contained in the Synoptics?4. What’s the significance of changes or additions

made in stories found in both John & Synoptics?“What Else?” – Your Questions/Comments