Is it just me, or is it impossible to read this verse without thinking, “Okay . . . is there something ‘missing’ here?” No doubt, there are probably a host of issues related to this verse that one might address. I would like to open up a discussion on one in particular: this verse’s relationship to John 2:1-11 (“the miracle at Cana”). I cannot help but think that the mention of purification in John 3:25 is intended to point the reader back to John 2:1-11. Thus far, my research has only turned up a few commentators (Carson, Barrett, and Borchert) that posit a link with John 2:1-11. [If there are others, feel free to correct me on this.]
I would like to pose the following questions:
1) Does John 3:25 allude to John 2:1-11?
2) What is the function of this allusion?
Any takers . . .
4 comments:
Mark Anthony,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. The more I research this passage, the more I'm convinced that John is pointing to Jesus' 'replacement' of Jewish purification rites. I've since read Carson and Barrett's treatment of this passage and they come to similar conclusions. They are normally one of the first I look at and I don't know how I overlooked them; further proof of my disorganization, I guess. I've also looked at a work entitled "The Symbol of Water in the Gospel of John" by L. Jones and he has confirmed my suspicion that the phrase "water was plentiful there" (3:23) is parallel to the phrase "each holding twenty or thirty gallons" (2:6). Finally, Keener also suggests that the "Jew" in 3:25 was connected to the Pharisees.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Mark
Jim,
Thanks for your comments. I'm inclined to think that John was familiar with the Synoptics, though he obviously utilized independent traditions. Regarding your comments about Christian baptism, I'm inclined to distinguish between the FG's purpose prior to canonization (a strong interest in "evangelizing" post-70 AD Jews) and its purpose after canonization (a strong interest in strengthening the faith of believers). No doubt, that is an issue that could be "debated" at length sometime in the future. I've got to do more research on the Johannine community hypothesis in a few weeks, so maybe I'll post something then.
Mark
Just doing a little research on this and notice that in John 4 Jesus answers the dispute given in John 3 by his interaction and request of the Samaritan woman. Christs requests a drink from the vessels of a Samaritan woman without first purifying them.
Yes and Jesus concludes that "True Worship" will no longer be done on this mountain nor yet in Jerusalem either.(temple worship). He definitely was teaching the Kingdom of God has come and things are changing and there is a totally new way of purification. In my opinion.
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