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Jesus as Mirrored in John: The Genius in the New Testament
James H. Charlesworth begins from a burgeoning point of scholarly More and more scholars are coming to recognize that the Fourth Gospel is more historically complex than previously thought. Charlesworth outlines two historical horizons within John. On the one hand, there is the Jewish background to the text (complete with the evangelist's knowledge of Palestinian geography and Jewish customs) which Charlesworth perceives as offering a window into pre-70 Palestinian Judaism. On the other hand, the gospel also reflects a post-70 world in which non-believing Jews, with more unity, begin to part definitely with those who identified Jesus as the Messiah.
Split into four sections, this volume first examines the origins of the Fourth Gospel, its evolution in several editions, and its setting in Judea and Galilee. Charlesworth then looks specifically at the figure of Jesus and issues of history. He proceeds to consider this Gospel alongside earlier and contemporaneous Jewish literature, most notably the Dead Sea Scrolls. Finally, the volume engages with John's symbolism and language, looking closely at key aspects in which John differs from the Synoptic Gospels, and raising such provocative questions as whether or not it is possible that Jesus married Mary Magdalene. From one of the New Testament's most noted scholars, this book allows deeper understanding of the ways in which the Gospel of John is a vital resource for understanding both the origin of Christianity and Jesus' position in history.
Split into four sections, this volume first examines the origins of the Fourth Gospel, its evolution in several editions, and its setting in Judea and Galilee. Charlesworth then looks specifically at the figure of Jesus and issues of history. He proceeds to consider this Gospel alongside earlier and contemporaneous Jewish literature, most notably the Dead Sea Scrolls. Finally, the volume engages with John's symbolism and language, looking closely at key aspects in which John differs from the Synoptic Gospels, and raising such provocative questions as whether or not it is possible that Jesus married Mary Magdalene. From one of the New Testament's most noted scholars, this book allows deeper understanding of the ways in which the Gospel of John is a vital resource for understanding both the origin of Christianity and Jesus' position in history.
- GenresNew Testament
624 pages, Hardcover
Published November 29, 2018
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May 4, 2026
In my estimation, this book does 2 things: 1) correct outdated misconceptions about the gospel of John and 2) “forge new paths, to ask some fresh questions and rewrite some previous publications as well as offering new hypotheses [about the 4th Gospel].
In the first point, the author marshaled a convincing amount of archeological and historical evidence making the case that John is neither late nor anti Jewish. In fact, he makes the case that the first addition of John was written by a Jew who knew pre 70 CE Jerusalem exceptionally well and that the first addition may have been written ~68 CE. Charlesworth also shows that concepts in John like Logos that were thought to originate from Greek thought actually are in line with Second Temple Jewish thought (demonstrated by comparing with some of the Essene Dead Sea Scroll documents). On these points, I found the book’s challenge of current skeptical dogma around John insightful and helpful
On the second point, Charlesworth asked a host of questions that I found unconvincing, including: was the beloved disciple Thomas and was Jesus married. To me the evidence brought to bear was tenuous and involved speculation built on speculation.
Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile read for a Christian who is somewhat familiar with biblical studies (not so much for someone who, for example, is a lay person without exposure to scholarly disagreements with orthodox thought and theology)
In the first point, the author marshaled a convincing amount of archeological and historical evidence making the case that John is neither late nor anti Jewish. In fact, he makes the case that the first addition of John was written by a Jew who knew pre 70 CE Jerusalem exceptionally well and that the first addition may have been written ~68 CE. Charlesworth also shows that concepts in John like Logos that were thought to originate from Greek thought actually are in line with Second Temple Jewish thought (demonstrated by comparing with some of the Essene Dead Sea Scroll documents). On these points, I found the book’s challenge of current skeptical dogma around John insightful and helpful
On the second point, Charlesworth asked a host of questions that I found unconvincing, including: was the beloved disciple Thomas and was Jesus married. To me the evidence brought to bear was tenuous and involved speculation built on speculation.
Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile read for a Christian who is somewhat familiar with biblical studies (not so much for someone who, for example, is a lay person without exposure to scholarly disagreements with orthodox thought and theology)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review