The Fourth Gospel And Its Predecessor by Robert Fortna

Author:Robert Fortna
Language: eng
Format: epub

Analysis

• The last two verses of chapter 20 present a well-known difficulty. Although a connection with the preceding scene of doubting Thomas can be made out (see this section, Johannine Redaction), it is not entirely natural. Here there is no contrast between two kinds of faith, as in that scene; no mention of belief without seeing.

• A greater difficulty is that we hear of signs for the first time since chapter 12.482 It is widely held that these two verses, less any redaction they might contain, originally concluded a Signs Source in the narrow sense, where they would immediately have followed the last of a series of miracles. This was undoubtedly true at one stage in the editorial development of the Johannine narratives. But it is conceivable and (it is our contention) likely that prior to the work of 4E the passion account had been joined to a Signs Source. The latter's original ending was then moved to follow the resurrection stories. This new context would have been quite satisfactory (prior to the Johannine redaction) since for PQ the resurrection is Jesus' greatest sign (2:18-19)-it is not a sign at all for 4E483-and the disciples have just been mentioned (20:20).

• The only clear aporia in the two verses is caused by v. 31 b, which in form and content reads like an afterthought and differs grammatically from v. 31a.484 It is clearly Johannine.

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