2.1 Texts and interpretations of the person of Jesus

Question 1

What does John’s prologue include?

Answer 1

• No direct mention of the person of Jesus or historical events
• Sets out the author of Jonh’s intentions for the gospel

1:1-18

Question 2

How does John’s prologue contrast the other gospels?

Answer 2

Mark: proclaims “The beginning of good news about Jesus the Messiah, Son of God”- immediately tells us about Jesus

Matthew: gives the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham

Luke: tells Jesus’ birth story within a historical context

Question 3

What does Robinson believe about the nature of the prologue?

Answer 3

It is a latter addition by the author to help the early church understand more about the person of Jesus

Question 4

What does Brown believe about the nature of the prologue?

Answer 4

it was an early christian hymn which was adapted to serve as an introduction to the gospel’s narrative

Question 5

What does Barrett believe about the nature of the prologue?

Answer 5

the prologue is part of the original text and its unique style, as a christological hymn, speaks of Jesus’ divine nature

Barrett- biblical scholar, methodist minister

Question 6

What does Hooker believe about the nature of the prologue?

Answer 6

believes it is a ‘golrious key’ as the prologue is fulfilled in Jesus’ death, where the glory of God is seen as belonging to the son

“then we understand that Jesus’ words and his worls are works of God himself”