List at least five references between the John 1:1-18 and Genesis 1
| in the beginning, God created, heavens - earth, light - darkness etc. [make your own list] |
In Proverbs 3:19ff and 8:22ff we find passages that sound similar to John 1:1-18. However, there is a significant difference.
| Not the "Word" is with God at the creation but ... [Look it up]. |
Please explain the following statements by referring to the supporting text passages in John:
 | text basis: John 21, especially the last verses [Look them up and be more specific] |
Where is the author of the “Source” identified as “John”.
| In the title |
| For example 1:46, the calling of the first disciples "Come and see!" [Make a list of at least three other places in John] |
| For example 1:6. The first time the name "John" is mentioned the text refers to John the Baptist, who was not yet introduced. One can argue that the readers are supposed to be familiar with the character from the other three gospels. [Make a list of at least three other places in John] |
| Written in Greek. Explanation of "Hebrew" terms like "Rabbi". Familiarity with Jewish concepts like creation through the word. [Add other observations]. |
How to recognize editorial asides?
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1.Reference to a text passage in the John-Source.
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2.Editor use 1.Person Plural (“we”) to mark the aside.
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3.The aside could be deleted and we would not miss it.
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4.Sense of distance to the events of the narrative.
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Name three functions of the Spirit in John that may relate to the writing of this Gospel.
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Spirit of truth will come after Jesus death (14:15-16: another
Counselor, to be with you for ever). Presence of Christ replaces
presence of Jesus.
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Spirit will remind them what Jesus had said (14:25-26: bring to
remembrance). Spirit reminds them of, corrects and interprets the
historical record.
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Spirit will guide them in truth whatever will come. (16:12-15: whatever
he hears, he will speak). Spirit will talk about things Jesus did
not talk about.
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Name at least three criteria that will help the readers distinguish between "Jesus"-talk and "Spirit"-talk in this Gospel
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1.Opposites (life-death, light-dark …)
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2.Descriptive (not pre-scriptive)
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3.General (not specific to narrative)
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4.Group related (“us” versus “them”)
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5.Post-Eastern (Christ, not Jesus)
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6.Speech (not dialogue)
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7.“Truly, truly…”
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The calling of the first disciples (1:35ff). On the background of the Synoptic account, what is "corrected" in John?
| Peter was not the first disciple to be called. He is number ... [fill in yourself] |
The Baptism of Jesus: On the background of the Synoptic account, what is "corrected" in John?
| Jesus is not a sinner. |
| Jesus is not a disciple of John. |
| Jesus was not baptized by John (Jesus' baptism by John is not explicitly denied but an account is omitted). |
| Jesus did not move to Capernaum because he was a follower of John. |
| John is simply a witness to Jesus being the Christ. |
| [Add more observations from your notes] |
The Wedding at Cana (2:1-12). On the background of the Synoptic account, what is "corrected" in John?
| The other gospels don't have this miracle at all. They don't know that this was the first one. =>John, the eye witness and beloved disciple knows more than the other authors. |
The Cleansing of the temple (2:13-22). On the background of the Synoptic account, what is "corrected" in John?
| Time. Not during the last week of Jesus' life but early in his public ministry. |
| Old Testament references are different. |
| Not Jesus' association with John the Baptist caused the conflict with Judean authorities which eventually led to his arrest and sentencing, but this incident. |
Jesus and Nicodemus (3:1-21). What is the conflict addressed in this story?
| [Formulate your own thoughts.] |
Narrative Criticism. A story has to have at least three elements to be recognized as a story.
| Please pick one of the stories told in John and identify each of these three elements. |
