In John 10:24, Jesus returns to Jerusalem for the feast of Dedication (yes, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah) when he is surrounded by the Jews (or "the Judeans" or perhaps "the Jewish leaders", John frequently does not specify) who ask him to tell them plainly if he is the Messiah (Χριστος, "the Anointed One"). The irony of the setting and the potential for a politically charged and volatile response becomes clear to the reader who understands that part of the heritage of the Maccabees was revolt against foreign oppressors, a part currently being played by the Romans. Before they ask about his Messianic status, however, it is said that they asked 'literally' "how long are you taking away our souls?" (έως ποτε την ψυχην ήμων αίρεις). Here it seems that the literal sense is unlikely, as such an idea would be quite foreign to John or Jewish thought in general. The phrase is likely an idiom. But what is the meaning if the "literal" sense is not intended? Barrett suggested that the meaning here could be either "why are you keeping us in suspense?" or "why are you pestering us?" (Barrett, The Gospel According to St. John, 380). The difference between the two would involve the intent of the Jews. Were they sincerely inquiring of his Messianic status or were they annoyed with Jesus' behavior? BDAG suggests that the idea is that of leaving one in a state of uncertainty (BDAG, 29). Judging by Jesus' response and the reaction of the Jews (in 10:31 they pick up stones again to kill him), if they were giving him the benefit of the doubt, their goodwill was short lived. As far as Jesus was concerned, he had long ago revealed his identity to them and they still refused to trust him (10:25-26), and subsequently refused to trust the Father who sent him (10:30).
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2016
Categories
All
|