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