Introduction and Textual Notes on the Gospel of John
Carson:
Jesus baptism and calling of 12 disciples are not described
Themes central to Synoptics are nearly absent - eg. the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven (3:3, 5; 18:36)
Wedding in Cana - transform water to wine
dialogue with Nicodemus
ministry in Samaria
Resurrection of Lazarus
Jesus frequent visits to Jerusalem
extended discourses in the temple and synagoge
much of his private teaching to his disciples
Jesus’ forcefully presented themes that dominate John but are absent from the Synoptics
Only in John is Jesus explicitly identified with God (1:1, 18; 20:28)
“I AM...” statements
light / dark
life / death
above / below
truth / lie
sight / blindness
Papyrus 52 (130AD) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rylands_Library_Papyrus_P52
Gospel of John 18:31-33 (recto)
ΟΙ ΙΟΥΔΑΙΟΙ ΗΜΙΝ ΟΥΚ ΕΞΕΣΤΙΝ ΑΠΟΚΤΕΙΝΑΙ
OYΔΕΝΑ ΙΝΑ Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΠΛΗΡΩΘΗ ΟΝ ΕΙ-
ΠΕΝ ΣHΜΑΙΝΩΝ ΠΟΙΩ ΘΑΝΑΤΩ ΗΜΕΛΛΕΝ ΑΠΟ-
ΘΝHΣΚΕΙΝ ΕΙΣΗΛΘΕΝ ΟΥΝ ΠΑΛΙΝ ΕΙΣ ΤΟ ΠΡΑΙΤΩ-
ΡΙΟΝ Ο ΠIΛΑΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΦΩΝΗΣΕΝ ΤΟΝ ΙΗΣΟΥΝ
ΚΑΙ ΕΙΠΕΝ ΑΥΤΩ ΣΥ ΕΙ O ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΟΥ-
ΔAΙΩN
...
the Jews, "For us it is not permitted to killanyone," so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he sp-oke signifying what kind of death he was going todie. Entered therefore again into the Praeto-rium Pilate and summoned Jesusand said to him, "Thou art king of the
Jews?"
Papyrus 66 (200AD) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_66
most of chapters 1-14 and parts of remaining
Ancient affiliates (use of John in writing / teachings) (p26)
Traditionally considered John, (Lee, p. 153-56; Burge p. 26-27;
Date
the earliest possible date is between AD 70- AD 80
the latest possible date is A.D. 125 (Burge p. 28)
Jerome writing ca. 375 argued that John died “in the 68th year” after Jesus’ death therefore approx AD 98 (Burge)
Irenaeus suggested that John was the final evangelist to produce his Gospel (Lee 156)
Locale
Tradition tells us the place of writing was Ephesus (Burge 29)
Central Theme
The appearance of the Son of God in human history, John explores 2 facets; it’s revelation and it’s redemption (Burge 29)
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (revelation)
John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (redemption)
John’s purpose was to explain the revelation & redemption and to explain the possibilities
John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John’s purpose also includes the clarification of Christian Doctrines at an early stage of church development (Burge p30)
- John’s Gospel leaves out a great deal of material that is characteristic of the Synoptics (p21)
- no parables
- no account of transfiguration
- no institution of the Lord’s Supper
- no report of Jesus casting out deamon
- no mention of Jesus temptations
Jesus baptism and calling of 12 disciples are not described
Themes central to Synoptics are nearly absent - eg. the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven (3:3, 5; 18:36)
- INCLUDED in John but excluded from Synoptics... (p22)
Wedding in Cana - transform water to wine
dialogue with Nicodemus
ministry in Samaria
Resurrection of Lazarus
Jesus frequent visits to Jerusalem
extended discourses in the temple and synagoge
much of his private teaching to his disciples
Jesus’ forcefully presented themes that dominate John but are absent from the Synoptics
Only in John is Jesus explicitly identified with God (1:1, 18; 20:28)
“I AM...” statements
- ...light of the world (8:12; 9:5)
- ...before Abraham (8:58)
- ...resurrection and life (11:25)
- ...the good shepherd (10:11, 14)
- ...the gate (10:7, 9)
- ...God’s Son (10:36)
- ...the vine (15:1, 5)
- ...the way, truth and life (14:6)
light / dark
life / death
above / below
truth / lie
sight / blindness
- PROBLEMATIC themes (‘contridict’ Synoptics)
- John the Baptist denies he is Elijah (Jn 1:21 / Mk 9:11-13)
- bestowal of Spirit (Jn 20:22 / Acts 2)
- Cleansing of temple at beginning vs end of ministry (Jn 2:14-22 / Mk 11:15-17)
- length of ministry as attested by Passovers (Jn reports at least 3, Synoptics only 1)
- the timing of arrest, passion and of crucifixion (Jn - sixth hour (19:14) / Synoptics - third hour)
- Gramatical observations
- smaller vocabulary in John than Synoptics
- peculiar grammer
- little discernible difference between words ascribed to Jesus and John’s own comments
Papyrus 52 (130AD) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rylands_Library_Papyrus_P52
Gospel of John 18:31-33 (recto)ΟΙ ΙΟΥΔΑΙΟΙ ΗΜΙΝ ΟΥΚ ΕΞΕΣΤΙΝ ΑΠΟΚΤΕΙΝΑΙ
OYΔΕΝΑ ΙΝΑ Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΠΛΗΡΩΘΗ ΟΝ ΕΙ-
ΠΕΝ ΣHΜΑΙΝΩΝ ΠΟΙΩ ΘΑΝΑΤΩ ΗΜΕΛΛΕΝ ΑΠΟ-
ΘΝHΣΚΕΙΝ ΕΙΣΗΛΘΕΝ ΟΥΝ ΠΑΛΙΝ ΕΙΣ ΤΟ ΠΡΑΙΤΩ-
ΡΙΟΝ Ο ΠIΛΑΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΦΩΝΗΣΕΝ ΤΟΝ ΙΗΣΟΥΝ
ΚΑΙ ΕΙΠΕΝ ΑΥΤΩ ΣΥ ΕΙ O ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΟΥ-
ΔAΙΩN
...
the Jews, "For us it is not permitted to killanyone," so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he sp-oke signifying what kind of death he was going todie. Entered therefore again into the Praeto-rium Pilate and summoned Jesusand said to him, "Thou art king of the
Jews?"
Papyrus 66 (200AD) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_66
most of chapters 1-14 and parts of remaining
Ancient affiliates (use of John in writing / teachings) (p26)
- Ignatius, bishop of Antioch (c AD 110-115)
- Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna (c. AD120) quotes from 1 John (personally associated with John, Andrew & Philip)
- gnostic Basilides (c. AD 130) Jn 1:9 Valentinus ‘Gospel of Truth’ (c. AD 140)
- Justin Martyr (AD103–165) (First Apology; Jn 3:3-5)
- Theophilus of Antioch (AD 181)
- Tatian (c. AD 120-180) (student of Justin)
- Irenaeus (c. AD 202) (student of Polycarp)
Traditionally considered John, (Lee, p. 153-56; Burge p. 26-27;
Date
the earliest possible date is between AD 70- AD 80
the latest possible date is A.D. 125 (Burge p. 28)
Jerome writing ca. 375 argued that John died “in the 68th year” after Jesus’ death therefore approx AD 98 (Burge)
Irenaeus suggested that John was the final evangelist to produce his Gospel (Lee 156)
Locale
Tradition tells us the place of writing was Ephesus (Burge 29)
Central Theme
The appearance of the Son of God in human history, John explores 2 facets; it’s revelation and it’s redemption (Burge 29)
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (revelation)
John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (redemption)
John’s purpose was to explain the revelation & redemption and to explain the possibilities
John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John’s purpose also includes the clarification of Christian Doctrines at an early stage of church development (Burge p30)
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