Echoes of a Prophet: The Use of Ezekiel in the Gospel of John and in Literature of the Second Temple Period (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)
Overview
Echoes of a Prophet examines intertextual connections to Ezekiel found in John and in Second Temple literature. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain many allusions to a number of Ezekiel's oracles, while other Second Temple works refer to only a few of Ezekiel's oracles, and those only rarely. In each case, Manning examines the evidence for the presence of the allusions, studies the implied interpretational methods, and comments on the function of the allusion in advancing the author’s ideas.
Manning also analyzes John’s allusions to Ezekiel: the good shepherd, the vine, the opened heavens, imagery from the “dry bones” vision, and water symbolism. He observes that John has a few unique tendencies: he alludes to all five of Ezekiel's “oracles of hope” and primarily uses that imagery to describe the giving of the Holy Spirit and new life through Jesus.
- Introduction and Method
- The Use of Ezekiel in the Dead Sea Scrolls
- The Use of Exekiel in other Second Temple Literature
- Allusions to Ezekiel in John: Major Allusions
- Allusions to Ezekiel in John: Minor Allusions
- Summary and Conclusion
Top Highlights
“Most of the symbolic occurrences of ‘water’ in John refer to cleansing, life, or the Holy Spirit.” (Page 172)
“The setting of John 10 is crucial for understanding its use of OT images and its role within the Fourth Gospel. The discourse and debate of John 10 are the culmination of the controversy over Jesus’ identity in John 7–10.1 John 7 begins with Jesus’ brothers who ‘do not believe in him’ (Jn 7:5). The crowds at the Feast of Tabernacles debate Jesus’ identity (Jn 7:12, 26–27, 31, 40–43, 45–46), but most of the leaders reject his teaching (7:3, 25–26, 32, 47–52). Jesus makes a number of claims about himself (Jn 8:28–29, 37–38; 8:12), which results in a debate about Jesus’ identity and the source of his authority (Jn 8:12–30). Jesus eludes capture on three occasions during this series of conflicts (Jn 7:32, 44–45; 8:20, 59), and then ends this period of teaching in the Temple.” (Pages 100–101)
“Jesus’ description of himself as the ‘true vine’ can be explained as his appropriation of the privilege and status of Israel to himself. Jesus was Israel as Israel ought to have been: a choice vine, producing fruit consistent with his identity. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel describe Israel as a vine that had failed to produce grapes, a nation that had been unfaithful to God. John describes Jesus as the ‘true vine’ who remains faithful to the Father and produces fruit through his disciples. However, the vine image also contains the potential for messianic interpretation.” (Pages 142–143)
“In consequence, the vine was uprooted and the strong branch vine withered and burned (Ezek. 19:12, 14). In John 15, the branches, Jesus’ disciples, must remain where God has placed them. If they do not remain attached to Jesus, but seek prosperity elsewhere, they will be cut off, allowed to wither, and burned (Jn 15:2, 6). In Ezekiel, the allegiance is directed towards God and Nebuchadnezzar; in John 15, the allegiance is directed towards Jesus, God’s representative.” (Page 142)
- Title: Echoes of a Prophet: The Use of Ezekiel in the Gospel of John and in Literature of the Second Temple Period
- Author: Gary T. Manning Jr.
- Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group
- Publication Date: 2004
- Pages: 256