Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 179:714 (Apr 2022)
Article: Three Feasts And A Triadic Macrostructure In John
Author: Jeffrey A. Dukeman

BSac 179:714 (April-June 2022) p. 180

Three Feasts And A Triadic Macrostructure In John

Jeffrey A. Dukeman

Jeffrey A. Dukeman is Pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Gulfport, Mississippi, and Adjunct Professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.

Abstract

This article argues for a triadic macrostructure based on the three feasts mentioned in John, as well as terminological, thematic, and structural indicators. It concludes that three main sections make up the Gospel: 1–5 (Passover), 6:1–12:11 (Tabernacles), and 12:12–21:25 (Hanukkah).

Introduction

Scholars have achieved little consensus regarding the macrostructure of the Gospel of John. Beutler, in his commentary, summarizes some of the recent major proposals.1 According to Beutler, one commonly proposed structure is based on Bultmann’s thematic view and sees chapters 2–12 as “the book of signs” and chapters 13–20 as “the book of glory” with chapter 1 as an introduction and chapter 21 as an epilogue or supplement. Scholars also note a “cycle of feasts” near the middle of John, which Beutler finds helpful because it draws on thematic, spatial, and temporal elements in the text. Typically these proposals include at least a one-year cycle of feasts that moves from Passover (6:4), to Tabernacles (7:2), to Hanukkah (10:22), and back to Passover (11:55).2 Another common method for structuring John involves the journeys of Jesus to Jerusalem. For example, Segovia argues for four cycles of journeys that each end in Jerusalem in 1:19–3:36, 4:1–5:47, 6:1–10:42, and 11:1–17:26.3 Beutler argues that a weakness

BSac 179:714 (April-June 2022) p. 181

of these journey proposals is they do not sufficiently account for the feasts, although Beutler himself argues the journey and feast themes should be combined since Jesus journeys to Jerusalem for th...