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