Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 180:718 (Apr 2023)
Article: Why Does Jesus Use Ambiguous Rhetoric?
Author: Bruce R. Reichenbach

BSac 180:718 (April-June 2023) p. 179

Why Does Jesus Use Ambiguous Rhetoric?

Bruce R. Reichenbach

Bruce R. Reichenbach is Professor Emeritus at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Visiting Professor at African Bible College University in Liberia.

Abstract

Jesus taught using irony, riddles, rhetorical questions, and symbols—all invoking ambiguity—which led to confusion, disbelief, abandonment, and ultimately his arrest. Focusing on John’s Gospel and assuming it reflects the rhetorical style of the historical Jesus, I examine the reasoning given by two expositors of ambiguity, contending their reasons inadequately explain Jesus’s affirmation of his time, the unacceptability of his mission, and the intrinsic ambiguity of his messianic message in the context of Second Temple Judaism.

The author of John’s Gospel portrayed Jesus intentionally using various rhetorical devices—double meaning, irony, riddles, sarcasm, unanswered questions, and symbols—all based on ambiguity. He also portrayed Jesus’s audiences—the Jews1 (6:41) and disciples (16:18)—almost uniformly responding with deep confusion, misunderstanding, dismissal, abandonment, and even anger, ultimately resulting both in the rejection of Jesus and his message and in attempts on his life. This raises two sets of important questions. First, why would the author present Jesus to his readers as trafficking in ambiguity? How did it serve his purpose of showing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him one has eternal life (20:31)?

BSac 180:718 (April-June 2023) p. 180

Second, suppose that the use of ambiguity is not simply a narrative or literary device but reflects a reasonably reliable account of Jesus’s method of discourse and listener response.2 If so, why did Jesus engage his audiences in this way? What would he gain from employing these seemingly fruitless and counterproductive rhetorical techniques? If Jesus wanted people to believe that he is from the Father, reveals the Father, and brings life, would not a straightforward pedagogical approach be more expected and effective? Indeed, several times the evangelist hinted that Jesus’s audiences desired a more forthright approach. Jews responded to one of his riddles with the obvious question, “What did he mean?” (7:36).3 Again, following a riddle, they wondered what the meaning of the riddle could b...