Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel : Meaning,

Craig Koester's respected study uses the symbolic language of the Gospel of John as a focus to explore "the Gospel's literary dimensions, social and historical context, and theological import." This edition is fully revised and updated and includes a number of new sections on such topics as Judas and the knowledge of God. Fresh treatments are given on a number of issues, including the Gospel's Christology. This new edition offers both new insights and proven worth for students and scholars alike.

Craig R. Koester is Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota

Preface to the Second Edition

xi

Preface to the First Edition

xiii

Abbreviations

xv

Symbol, Meaning, and Mystery

1

(32)

Johannine Symbolism in Its Literary Context

3

(12)

Defining Johannine Symbolism

4

(4)

Recognizing Johannine Symbols

8

(4)

The Structure of Johannine Symbolism

12

(3)

Johannine Symbolism in Its Cultural Context

15

(9)

The Dynamics of Johannine Symbolism

16

(2)

The Spectrum of Johannine Readers

18

(6)

Interpreting Johannine Symbolism

24

(9)

Multiple Meanings---Valid and Invalid

25

(3)

Meaning and Mystery

28

(5)

Representative Figures

33

(46)

Character Portrayal in John's Gospel

34

(2)

Character Portrayal in Antiquity

36

(3)

Jesus

39

(6)

Human---Messiah---Son of God

39

(3)

Particular and Universal

42

(2)

Spokesperson for the Christian Community

44

(1)

People Who Meet Jesus

45

(17)

Nicodemus

45

(2)

Samaritan Woman

47

(4)

Royal Official from Capernaum

51

(1)

Invalid at Bethzatha

52

(2)

Crowd in Galilee

54

(5)

Crowd in Jerusalem

59

(3)

Disciples and Friends of Jesus

62

(14)

Nathanael

62

(1)

Man Born Blind

63

(2)

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

65

(3)

Mary Magdalene

68

(2)

Peter

70

(2)

Thomas

72

(1)

Judas Iscariot

73

(3)

The Word of God and the Human Condition

76

(3)

Symbolic Actions

79

(62)

New Wine---New Temple

82

(7)

Changing Water into Wine (2:1-12)

82

(4)

Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25)

86

(3)

Healing the Official's Son and the Invalid

89

(5)

Three Perspectives (4:46---5:15)

89

(2)

Discourse on Jesus' Unity with the Father (5:17-47)

91

(3)

Feeding the Five Thousand and Walking on the Sea

94

(10)

Feeding the Five Thousand (6:1-15)

95

(2)

Walking on the Sea (6:16-21)

97

(2)

Bread of Life Discourse (6:22-71)

99

(5)

Healing the Man Born Blind

104

(12)

Who Sinned? (9:1-41)

104

(3)

Prophet---Messiah---Son of Man (9:1-41 cont.)

107

(2)

Gate and Good Shepherd (10:1-42)

109

(7)

Raising Lazarus from the Dead

116

(11)

Glorification and Death (11:1-16)

116

(2)

The Resurrection and the Life (11:17-44)

118

(5)

Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem (11:45---12:36)

123

(4)

Anointing and Washing Feet

127

(7)

Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet (12:1-8)

127

(3)

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet (13:1-17)

130

(4)

The Great Catch of Fish

134

(4)

The Catch and the Meal (21:1-14)

134

(2)

Jesus' Mission and Disciples (21:15-25)

136

(2)

Hearing, Seeing, and Believing in Johannine Theology

138

(3)

Light and Darkness

141

(34)

The True Light That Enlightens Everyone

142

(8)

The Light Shines in the Darkness (1:1-5)

143

(4)

True Light and Enlightenment (1:6-9)

147

(3)

One Who Came by Night

150

(2)

The Light of the World

152

(8)

Jesus as Teacher (7:14-24)

152

(1)

Jesus as Prophet and Messiah (7:25-52)

153

(3)

Jesus' Unity with God (8:12-30)

156

(3)

Light and Discipleship (8:12-30 cont.)

159

(1)

The Light Is with You a Little Longer

160

(6)

We Must Work While It Is Day (9:1-41)

161

(1)

Walking in the Day (11:9-10)

162

(1)

On Becoming Children of Light (12:27-50)

163

(3)

Light and Darkness in the Passion Narrative

166

(2)

Light and Darkness in 1 John

168

(3)

God and Evil in Johannine Theology

171

(4)

Water

175

(32)

Baptism with Water and the Spirit

176

(11)

John Baptized with Water (1:19-34)

177

(4)

Water for Jewish Rites of Purification (2:1-11)

181

(2)

Birth from Water and the Spirit (3:1-36)

183

(4)

Living Water

187

(13)

Jacob's Well and the Spring of Living Water (4:1-42)

187

(4)

Troubled Waters at Bethzatha (5:1-16)

191

(1)

Rivers of Living Water (7:37-39)

192

(8)

Blood and Water at the Crucifixion

200

(3)

Water in 1 John

203

(1)

Cleansing from Sin and Thirst for God in Johannine Theology

204

(3)

The Crucifixion

207

(40)

Behold the Man

210

(6)

``Crucify him, crucify him''

210

(4)

``I find no crime in him''

214

(2)

Behold the Lamb of God

216

(8)

That the Scripture Might Be Fulfilled

217

(2)

The Cross and Sacrifice

219

(5)

Behold Your King

224

(6)

Enthronement of the Prophet-King

224

(3)

Death of the Prophet-King

227

(3)

We Beheld His Glory

230

(9)

The Ruler of This World Is Cast Out

230

(5)

Exaltation and Glorification

235

(4)

Behold Your Son, Behold Your Mother

239

(5)

Forming a Community of Faith

240

(1)

Jesus' Mother and the Beloved Disciple

241

(3)

Jesus' Death in Johannine Theology

244

(3)

Symbol and Community

247

(40)

Symbol and Unity

250

(14)

The Challenge of Unity

250

(7)

Symbol and Unity in the Gospel

257

(7)

Symbol and Patterns of Discipleship

264

(13)

Competing Patterns: Torah, Friendship, Honor

265

(5)

Symbols and Discipleship: The True Vine (15:1-17) and Other Images

270

(7)

Symbol and the World

277

(10)

The World and the Johannine Context

278

(4)

Symbols and the World

282

(5)

Symbol and the Knowledge of God

287

(14)

God the Father

288

(2)

Human Estrangement

290

(4)

Jesus as the Way

294

(7)

Appendixes on Special Topics

301

(16)

Sacramental Symbolism

301

(8)

Geographical Symbolism

309

(2)

Numerical Symbolism

311

(6)

Bibliography

317

(22)

Index of Subjects

339

(4)

Index of Authors

343

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Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel : Meaning, Mystery, Community

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials