here Jesus' secret trip toJerusalem sets the scene for a series of debates with the Jews; in chapter 9, wherethe cure of the man born blink sets the scene for the discourse on the good and the.Introduction Page 9bad shepherds (10:1-21); in 10:22-39, where Jesus' appearance at the feast of theDedication leads to His final dispute with the Jews; and lastly in chapters 13--17,where the washing of the feet (13:1-32) sets the scene for Jesus' Last Supperdiscourse. In all these examples, the stories are secondary to the dialogues,monologues, and discourses for which they prepare the way. They are clearly thework of a superb dramatist.2. Discourses, Dialogues, and MonologuesAs C. H. Dodd has pointed out, the typical Johannine discourse (e.g., in 3:1-21;4:4-38; 5:1-47; 6:22-58; 9:39--10:21; 10:22-39; 13:33--16:33) follows a distinctivepattern: (a) it begins with a solemn declaration by Jesus, often in lapidary terms (e.g.,3:3; 4:10; 5:17; 6:32; 7:16; 9:39; 10:25; 13:13); (b) it is frequently followed by anobjection or question based upon a misunderstanding of Jesus' words (e.g.3:4; 4:11;5:18; 6:41-42; 7:20; 9:40; 10:6; 10:31; 13:36); (c) there then follows Jesus' discourseclarifying the misunderstanding or the objection. The discourse is sometimesinterrupted by further questions and objections (e.g., 4:4-38; 6:33-58; 15:33--16:33)and at other times consists entirely of a long monologue (e.g., 3:11-21; 5:19-47; 10:7-18).6. IronyJohn records certain persons, most frequently opponents of Jesus that makestatements about Jesus that they think are correct and that John's readers know arecorrect, but in a different and sometimes far deeper sense. The following are goodexamples. In 4:12, the Samaritan woman asks Jesus, "You are not greater than ourfather Jacob, are you, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, andhis cattle?" She thinks not; the reader knows that Jesus is inestimably greater than.Introduction Page 11Jacob--for He is...
