Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 75:1 (NA 2024)
Article: The ‘King Of Israel’ In The Gospel Of John
Author: Paulus de Jong

TynBull 75:1 (2024) p. 31

The ‘King Of Israel’ In The Gospel Of John

Paulus de Jong

Lecturer in Biblical Studies – WTC, Cheltenham
Associate Lecturer in Biblical studies – Scottish Baptist College, Paisley
[email protected]

Abstract

The Gospel of John attributes the title ‘King of Israel’ to Jesus twice (John 1:49; 12:13). Both occurrences are unique to John’s Gospel and are placed at key points in the overall narrative. Although ‘King of Israel’ is a commonly used title in Israel’s Scriptures, designating Saul, David, Solomon, and kings of the Northern Kingdom, only twice does it identify YHWH as the true King of Israel, namely in Isaiah 44:6 and Zephaniah 3:15. This article argues that the references to Jesus as ‘King of Israel’ in John 1:49 and 12:13 allude to precisely these two texts, implying that this Johannine designation portrays Jesus as uniquely representing YHWH’s kingship on earth.

1. Introduction

The Gospel of John provides a unique use of the title ‘King of Israel’ (ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ; John 1:49; 12:13).1 The two occurrences of this title are unparalleled in the Synoptic Gospels. Whereas the latter use the designation in mockery of Jesus (Matt 27:42; Mark 15:32), John uses it as a title of honour. The first time, the phrase occurs on the lips of Nathanael (John 1:49); the second time, the crowd proclaims Jesus ‘King of Israel’ as he enters Jerusalem (John 12:13). Both stories feature at crucial points in the Gospel narrative. Nathanael’s confession precedes Jesus’s sign at Cana and the crowd’s confession follows Jesus’s final public sign – the resurrection of Lazarus. Together, they enclose Jesus’s public ministry.

TynBull 75:1 (2024) p. 32

This unique use of the title ‘King of Israel’ in combination with its strategic positioning begs the question of what the Evangelist seeks to communicate through this double designation. The significance of this question is heightened by the fact that ‘King of Israel’ is a distinct title in Israel’s Scriptures and other Second Temple Je...