1. The Gospel of John focusmagazine.org The Passion Narrative

2. Two Approaches Narrative-Criticism Historical-Criticism

4. Historical-criticism looks at a given text in the light of historical evidence. It is based on the context in which a work was written, including facts about the author’s life and the historical and social circumstances of the time. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/267358/historical-criticism

5. It considers the background of the writing ‘the world behind the text’ This method is one approach used by Catholics to understand Biblical texts. Within this approach we find a variety of different critical methods used e.g. source criticism, tradition criticism “sometimes people refer to the historical-critical method as if it is a single thing, which is misleading” (Carvalho, 2009)

6. “The historical-critical method is the indispensable method for the scientific study of the meaning of ancient texts” (PBC -The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, 1993)

7. According to the Jerome Biblical Commentary the use of literary criticism (a study of content of the NT) and Historical Criticism (a study of the NT as a historical document) for studying the New Testament has a history that ranges from the 2 nd Century to now. P.1131 Really, it is a modern concept but from very early times scholars undertook serious study of the Bible.

8. H-C is one of the oldest forms of interpreting the Biblical texts. It attempts to determine the value of the sacred text as a historical document both as to facts and teaching. This method seeks to reconstruct the writers life, ideas and social environment p.1117,8 (JBC)

9. Purpose of this Approach It helps understand ancient texts in the Bible the historical situation of the text the historical situation of the author the meaning and message in the text and how it can be applied to the reader’s (our) life.

10. Gospel of John

11. P 52 is the oldest known manuscript fragment of the New Testament. A Fragment of the Gospel of John. Egypt, 125-150 C.E. M Fouhy - Year 12 Biblical Studies 201111

12. “The Gospel of John represents a religious tradition that is independent of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke).

13. Synoptic GospelsJohn’s Gospel Descriptive of historical events Reflective of the significance of various events Relates many of the short sayings of Jesus Gives more of the long discourses of Jesus Emphasis upon the Kingdom of God Emphasis upon eternal life Emphasis on future prophecy Little about future prophecy

14. 1)John was the last Gospel written (Written about 70 yrs after the death of Jesus). 2)John omits about 90% of the material in the other Gospels. 3)In John’s Gospel, the ministry of Jesus last 3 years; in the Synoptic Gospels it lasts for about one year. 4)In John’s Gospel, Jesus claims divinity, speaks of himself in the 1 st person (using “I am” statements), and his teaching style is marked by long philosophical discourses, rather than parables and sayings John’s Gospel is different

15. There is no indication that any of the four Gospel writers expected his audience to read or hear another Gospel other than what he wrote. Thus each Gospel was looked on as local variation of one Gospel. Pg1047 (JBC)

16. Outline of John 1:11:1912:120:1 Written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God......and that believing you may have life in His name Prologue Period of 3 years Passion Week Epilogue Focus upon the ministry and miracles of Jesus Focus upon Jesus teaching his disciples and the events of the death, burial & resurrection Public Ministry Private Ministry Throughout Palestine JerusalemGalilee

17. The Author: “John” Not Apostle John; Follower of ”Beloved Disciple” possibly a member of his Christian community. He does not mention himself by name. Begins with a reference to the Word ─ the eternal Logos ◦ He was… ◦ He was with God ◦ He was Divine ◦ The Word became flesh ◦ John gives no birth or childhood narratives

18. When and where was the Gospel written? M Fouhy - Year 12 Biblical Studies 2011 DATE: 90CE; PLACE: Ephesus Composition and Sources of John’s Gospel Draws from a common oral tradition - Jesus’ life and teachings Apostolic tradition.

19. INTENDED COMMUNITY Jewish Christians - Jews in tension between old faith and “The Way”. Their faith in Jesus may have been wavering? Conflict & persecution BACKGROUND TO COMMUNITY 1. Original Jews followers of J Baptist & John Beloved Disciple 2. Non-mainstream Jews - those who may not have belonged to mainstream Judaism 3. Gentiles: Greek converts

20. What are Passion Narratives? The term “passion narrative” is mainly used to refer to the accounts given in the canonical gospels of the suffering and death of Jesus. Generally, scholars treat the passion narratives as beginning with Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and burial. The Passion narratives can be found in all four Gospels Matthew 26:30–27:66 Mark 14:26–15:47 Luke 22:39–23:56 John 18:1–19:42. Some scholars include the Last Supper and the Resurrection as part of the passion narrative.

21. Although the Passion Narratives of all four Gospels are similar in many ways, there are also significant differences among them. The three Synoptics agree with each other (since Matthew and Luke are almost certainly based on Mark), while John's account is quite different, especially in matters of chronology. http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Passion.htm

22. Let’s take a brief look at the different accounts of Jesus’ arrest, death and resurrection and find some similarities or differences. Pictures from www.google.co.nz

23. John’s gospel is not a narration but about Jesus’ relationship with God and our relationship with Jesus

24. Let’s take a closer look at John’s Passion Narrative

25. In John’s passion narrative Jesus is a different and dramatic character from the Jesus of the synoptic passion narrative He is a Jesus conscious of his pre- existence. Through death, therefore returning to a state he has temporarily left during his stay in this world (17:5) He is not a victim since he has freely chosen to lay down his life 10:17-18 Crucified Christ holy week Brown. R

26. John begins his passion narrative with the arrest of Jesus in the garden Unlike the other gospels John portrays a Jesus who is eager to drink the cup 18:11 The Jewish trial is also different not a formal procedure but an interrogation to see if Jesus admits anything revolutionary in his teaching 18:19 Before Pilate Jesus is not silent as in the other gospels but is an eloquent spokesman

27. There is no Simon of Cyrene- Jesus carries his own cross. Unlike the other gospels where the women watched from afar and no disciples were present. John has the women and Mary at the foot of the cross and the disciples Jesus’ death is shown as a calm scene with Jesus declaring “It is finished”

28. SO... What does John want to tell us about Jesus Firstly John was writing his Gospel so that the audience may believe in Jesus 20:31 In the whole narrative John is consistently portraying Jesus as a Sovereign king who has overcome the world (10: 17-18) He constantly shows a Jesus who is powerful, majestic and in-control (19:8,11) He keeps emphasising Jesus’ divinity

29. John’s passion narrative is not about showing historically all the events that led to the arrest, death and resurrection of Jesus but to show a Jesus who reigns victoriously from the cross and who is always in control of all that happens. It shows that suffering and evil have no real power over God’s Son or over those that he enables to become God’s children

30. So how does knowing all this help the reader? – Drawing conclusions It gives us a better insight into John’s Gospel and the passion narrative It helps us to recognise the authenticity of the writing It helps us look for the correct message rather than trying to make sense of individual events in the text It shows us that God has a plan for all people and we need to be open to His ways and follow Him faithfully.

31. It helps us to put the text into context It does not view the text as a window onto the historical world but as a mirror reflecting a world into which the reader is invited. P.1159 (JBC) E.g. Jesus’ death in John doesn’t just show the death of a good man but Jesus, the Son of God, in control, whose death is a glorious return to the Father. Jesus’ life was not taken, it was given freely.

32. Break into groups 1. Explain the method being used 2. Evaluate it and draw conclusions about it. Eg is it worthwhile? 3. Does it help your understanding of the text? 4. Does it allow the text to ‘speak’ to you? 5. Back up what you say with work from John and other sources eg Jerome Biblical Commentary

33. References Br. Kieran fms – Power point Brown. R – The Church the Apostles left behind Brown. R – Crucified Christ Holy Week Brown. R – The Gospel of St. John the Johannine Epistles Brown. R, Fitzemyer J, Murphy R. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary Carvalho. C – Primer on Biblical Methods Google pictures Bible Yr 11 text Book Oxford Bible Commentaries Pontifical Biblical Commission (1993). The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church