Literary Techniques

Question 1

Characteristics of Chiasm

Answer 1

• John writes various passages using a parallel structure, e.g., AB C A¹B¹

Question 2

Characteristics of Inclusion

Answer 2

• Framing passages, or pericopes, with an identical phrase, theme, or word to indicate its beginning and end.

Question 3

Characteristics of Misunderstanding

Answer 3

• Jesus often speaks in a figurative or metaphorical manner that is misunderstood by his listeners.
• This misunderstanding then allows Jesus to further develop and elaborate on his message.

Question 4

Characteristics of Irony

Answer 4

• Irony is most usually seen when Jesus’ opponents make what they think are derogatory statements about him, but which are actually often more true or meaningful in a sense that those opponents did not realize.

Question 5

Characteristics of Twofold Meaning

Answer 5

• Twofold meaning (double entendre) is a play on a Hebrew or Greek word that has a number of different meanings. This encourages the reader to see several layers of meanings in the Gospel’s text.

Question 6

Characteristics of Replacement Motif

Answer 6

• Jesus symbolically replaces all of the various institutions of Judaism, such as the Temple or various feasts.
• This technique underscores how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament covenants, and the reality of the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Question 7

Characteristics of Symbolism and Imagery

Answer 7

• John employs symbolism that conveys a depth of theological meaning.
• John conveys his major theological themes in and through the use of symbolism and imagery.
• Often John’s symbolism is very blatant – employing images such as water, the vine, light, wine, bread, and so forth.
• At times the symbolism is subtle, for example:
  
  • The one who will believe in Jesus meets him in broad daylight, whereas, the one who will not come to belief approaches him in the dead of night.
  • The blood and water that flow from the side of the Crucified has sacramental meaning (Eucharist and Baptism) as well as betokening the birth of the Church.
  • John’s presentation of the multiplication of the loaves, like that in the Synoptics, has Eucharistic overtones. But in John this miracle also signifies a replacement of the Jewish Passover with the Christian one (and Christ Himself).
  • Only in John is Jesus depicted as slaughtered at the same time as the lambs for the Jewish feast of Passover are; thus Jesus is subtly shown to be the true Passover Lamb.
  • The Synoptics speak of Jesus’ miracles, whereas John never uses that terminology; instead he has a theology of “signs,” by which he means something very specific.