Post on 29-Mar-2015
Narratives in the Gospel of John
Part I: Miracle Stories: Review
• How many miracle stories are told in the GJ?• In what Chapters in GJ are they told?
• Five of these miracle stories will be illustrated here: Can you identify them?
• What have you learned about the INTERPRETATION of each miracle story and of the miracle stories in general?
What miracle Story does this Illustrate
and where is it Found?
John 2-1-11The Wedding at Cana
How does the GJ Interpret It?• Dialogue with Mary
• “My Hour has not yet come.”(2.4)
• Water Jars for Jewish Rites of Purification (2.6)
• “Jesus did this the first of his Signs . . . and the disciples believed in him” (2.11)
The Pool of BethesdaSite of Healing of Lame Man: John 5
• INTERPRETATION of Miracle:
• Controversy about Healing on Sabbath
• Additional theme for Controversy: “making himself equal to God” (5.18)
• Discourse: 5.19-47: a/ The Son gives Life and Judges b/ Son greater than Moses
What Miracle Story does this Illustrate?
• Where is this Story Found?
John 6.1-14: The Feeding of the Five ThousandWhat themes does the Fourth Evangelist Introduce in his
Interpretation of this Miracle?
• Jesus as the Prophet Like Moses (Deut 18) Jn 6.14
• Moses: manna miracle• Jesus: “I am the bread
from heaven”; superior to Moses
• Jesus gives eternal life• The Eucharist (“eat my
flesh and drink my blood”)
Healing of the Blind Man: John 9John 9.7: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which
means ‘sent’)”
• Stairway down to the pool of Siloam
• Jerusalem
John 9.1-7: Healing of a Man Born Blind
• How is this miracle story Interpreted?
The Mini Drama of John 9.8-417 Scenes
KEY THEMES:• Clue to Historical Situation of Fourth Evangelist::
• 9.22: His parents . . .were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus as Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.”
• Theological Themes:
• Sight and blindness: the blind man sees; the Pharisees are blind (9.41) [Irony]
• Signs and Faith: How one (the blind man) gradually comes to faith: “that man….from God” ….the Son of Man…and he worshipped him” (vv. 15, 33, .35-38)
• Judgment and division: “I came into this world for judgment” (9.39)
What is this Story?
• Where is it in the GJ?
• What Characters can you Identity?
John 11:The Raising of LazarusHow is this Story Significant in the Narrative?
To what does it lead? How is it interpreted as a “Sign”?
• Given as Reason for the Arrest of Jesus
• Interpreted in dialogue with Martha and Mary: “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
Seven Miracle StoriesJohn 1-20
Which 2 were not Illustrated Here?
• John 4.46-54: Healing of the Royal Official’s Son
• John 6.16-21: Jesus Walks on Water
A Coda: One Last Miracle Story
Where is this Story Found?
John 21:The Miraculous Catch of Fish
How is this Story Interpreted?
• Characters: Jesus, Peter, the Beloved Disciple• The Beloved Disciple: “It is the Lord” (21.7)• Peter jumps in water naked (21.7)
• FOLLOWED BY:
1. Rehabilitation of Peter: 3 fold question2. Prediction of martyrdom of Peter3. Explanation of false rumor about the Beloved Disciple:
seems to presuppose his death4. Claim that BD is author of the Gospel
Summary: in GJ—Jesus’ Miracles are Signs
• Signs are interpreted through dialogues, discourses and mini-dramas
• Miracles can lead to Faith• But they also cause Division—Jesus ministry to the Jews
results in division: believers, secret believers, enemies• John 1.5, 11: “The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not overcome it…He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him:”
The End