British New Testament Society

The term 'Son of man' was derived directly from synoptic Gospels, probably Matthew and Mark. It is used in midrashic rewrites of synoptic sayings viewed in groups. John 1.51 is a rewrite of Matt. 26.64 and associated sayings: John 3.14 is a midrashic rewrite of synoptic passion predictions, notably Mark 8.31. The three sayings in John 6 are part of a massive midrash which began from synoptic passages and, inspired by scriptures, expounds the Johannine Eucharist. The term 'Son of man' developed in meaning as Johannine Christology evolved. In the document as we have it, it always refers to the humanity of Jesus, who is seen as God Incarnate. Hence he does such things as die, which human beings do and God does not; and descend, and ascend to where he was before, as only God Incarnate can do in becoming flesh, dying and returning to the Father.

This paper will present a new approach to understanding the footwashing as a ritual of welcome into the Father's Household. I begin with an examination of the structure of the footwashing which I argue must include verses 31-38. Using the structure and insights from social-scientific criticism I show that this scene is far more than a 'model' of good example, rather it presents in a ritual form, the significance of Jesus' death for the Johannine Community.

The ingathering concept in the Gospel of John is a window into the character of the Johannine community and its emphasis on radically inclusive mission. In order to emphasize that Gentiles are included in the "children of God," the Johannine literature radically reinterprets the traditional understanding of redemptive ingathering extant in the late Second Temple period. As his literary tool, the Gospel writer employs anti-Jewish polemic against exclusivity, and this forms an essential part of the restructuring of the traditional ingathering formula. It is crucial, however, to understand the background out of which this reconstruction occurred. In this paper, I will argue that it is worthwhile to revisit C. H. Dodd and Rudolf Bultmann's understanding of the socio-theological milieu out of which the Gospel of John arose. I will posit that it is helpful to incorporate common elements in both writers claiming or implying a type of Christian milieu. Based on this construction of the socio-theological milieu, I will explain the distinctive Christian apologetic character of the Gospel of John, particularly as relating to the concept of ingathering. Then, I will examine the pericope in the Gospel of John 11:45-54 relating to ingathering as a direct evidence for my claims.