[B-Greek] AGAPAO in the NT
Daniel Gleason
info at revelationjesuschrist.com
Thu Feb 5 22:08:53 EST 2004
Subject: [B-Greek] AGAPAO in the NT
Carl Conrad: So are you, or are you NOT, saying that hO MAQHTHS EKEINOS hON
HGAPA hO
IHSOUS in Jn 21:7 is making a DIFFERENT affirmation about Jesus feeling for
this disciple than is made in Jn 20:2 TON ALLON MAQHTHN hON EFILEI hO
IHSOUS?
In your first post you were asking questions about the relationship between
Peter and the BD, who, as you rightly say is "unnamed" even if so many take
it for granted that the BD is John. But our concern here is fundamentally
and foremost about the Greek text, not background questions.
Good point Carl
In John 20:2 the author uses the word EFILEI to describe the feeling that
Jesus has for the BD and in Jn 21:7 and 21:20 he uses the word HGAPA.
So I am NOT saying Jesus has a different feeling about the BD. I would make
the conclusion he has BOTH feelings expressed by the words EFILEI and HGAPA.
I look at the nuance in meaning of the Greek text re the words love,
fondness, of John, and witness to look for answers to important background
questions that can't be answered by translations found in some English
bibles. Sometimes a translation paraphrases the Greek text so the
translation is in agreement with the translators theology.
re my earlier observation that "John was the first person to "testify" in
the gospel (Jn 1:6-7) and perhaps the same or another John testifies to end
the gospel because "we know that his testimony is true" (Jn 21:23). Perhaps
there is some kind of link with "love" (agape), John, and "true testimony"?
"
Although it is a background question, it is my observation that the John who
testifies in Jn 1:6-7 and the person who testifies in Jn 21:20-25
structurally forms a grand inclusio for the entire gospel. Most scholars
identify the BD with John Zebedee. However, as impossible as seems, the
following verse makes a strong Greek textual link between John the Baptist
and the unnamed person who ends the gospel, the one who ... "we know that
his testimony is true" (Jn 21:23).
Jesus said... "If I testify about myself, my Testimony is-not True. Another
is the-one testifying about me, and I-know that The Testimony which
he-testifies about me is True. You-have-sent to John and he-has-testified
to-the Truth" (Jn 5:31-33).
The huge background question is ... why doesn't John Z identify himself? Why
all the secrecy?
Daniel Gleason
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