第十五卷 (1994年) The Glorification of the Father by the Son in the
作者:赵必成 Chiu, Abraham

The Glorification of the Father by the Son in the Gospel according to John 17:4
Abraham Chiu
Theology Annual vol.15 1994 p.119-134

 

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Abstract
The author interprets Jn 17:4. The verse is found in Jesus' High-priestly prayer. Throughout the entire Gospel of John, nowhere does Jesus call Himself a high priest, nor does anyone else. On the contrary, the high priest is depicted as His enemy. Jn 17 is a prayer which Jesus as master made for Himself, for His disciples and friends. Jn 17:4 quite often escapes the notice of the readers. Getting closer to this verse, we find that it contains a beautiful expression of the incarnation mystery. The Son has glorified the Father by having completed the work which the Father has given to Him.

作者诠释若17:4子光荣父。此节在所谓「大司祭的祈祷」内。但是,纵观整部福音,耶稣从没自称为「大司祭」,别人也绝对没有称呼他为「大司祭」。反之,「大司祭」是耶稣的敌对者。因此,若17其实是师傅表白心迹的一篇祈祷文 ── 为自己、门徒及信友。若17:4经常给读者「走漏眼」,细研之下,原来含蕴圣言降生成人的深奥 ── 以完成工作来光荣父。

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1. v.4   a I have glorified you {shown your glory} on earth ()

2.         b by having completed the work ()

3.         c which you have given me ()

4.         d that I do it ()

 

Jn17:4 presents the glorification of the Father by the completion of the work of the Son. The aorist indicative () means that the Son glorified the Father on earth (v.4a) by completing the work () which the Father has given (, perf. indic) There is an aorist subjunctive () which can have future implications. This leads to a problem about the point which Jesus refused to an the completion of his work, viz., at the farewell supper, on the cross, or in his post-resurrection/exaltation.

17:4 is put in the farewell discourse and it seems obvious that the completion of the work of Jesus refers to his preaching and working of signs before the farewell meal. However, the singular( ) does not mean all the individual works that Jesus has done but rather that his whole life is a work. Moreover, when Jesus is crucified and he knows that all is finished (,19:28), he says, ",(19:30). Does this imply that the work was completed on the cross? Furthermore, the participle () has a variant reading, viz., the aorist indicative in saying clearly that the Son already completed the work.

Some exegetes state that the whole life of Jesus is the glorification of the Father while other scholars suggest the cross event is the glorification. Again, some scholars believe the foundation of the Church to be the glorification. This part deals with the glorification of the Father and investigates the different proposals of scholars.

 

1. Verse 4a:
Syntactic analysis
V.4 starts another theme by using the personal pronoun which emphasizes the glorification by Jesus. The direct object is se (2nd. pers. acc. sg.) which has as its referents,(v.1);  (v.2); and ,  (v.5).  (1st pers. sg. aor. ind. act.) is the predicate of the subject  . The preposition which is used with the genitive  (gen. sg. f.), means on, upon, over a place or time. (1) 

2. Verse 4b:
2.1 Syntactic analysis
It is a participial clause dominated by the circumstantial (adverbial) participle (2) (nom. sg. aor. act. part.) and the predicate is  in v.4a.  (acc. sg. n.) is the indirect object of in v.4a.

2.2 Semantic analysis
2.2.1 Lexical meaning of (3)
In the Old Testament, to work usually means to do or to make. Specifically, it refers to the work of people in projects such as the tabernacle, the temple, the furnishings of the tabernacle or temple, or the walls of Jerusalem. Particularly, work is referred to the work of God. God's work on the Sabbath is called .

In the New Testament, means both activity and the products of activity. Simply, it means in secular Greek work, task. The work of God is indicated in his creation and the maintenance of all that exists. God's work presupposes human acceptance from which there emerge God's redemption and revelation.

In Jn, there is the interconnection between the work of God and the work of Jesus. A fundamental reason for this interconnection between God's work and Jesus' work is the miraculous signs as an attestation of God through the mediator. Jesus does the work in the mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father (14:10f.).

2.2.2  in Jn17:4
Some scholars who maintain the singular work of the Son presume that the whole life of Jesus is the glorification of the Father; on the other hand, scholars who insist that the work of Jesus is the cause of glorification underline the cross event.

The work in 17:4, is related to the salvation of the people. It is a work, occupation or task of Jesus. The author of Jn uses a singular which underlines the unity of the work. In other words, it does not mention the individual works but all the works as a whole. Some scholars assume that this work is the whole life of Jesus. Bultmann insists that it is the revelatory work of Jesus.(4) The realization of the work is commissioned by God through the revealer Jesus and moreover, it is continued in the activity of the disciples. The work given by the Father to the Son is completed on the cross.

Some of the exegetes see that the completion of the work of Jesus is on the cross and this is the climax of his obedience to the Father.(5) This is because the aorist participle is closely linked with the perfect form  in 19:30 which is the last word of Jesus before his death.

Other scholars underline the work as the revelation of the Father (6): indicates that Jesus glorified the Father in his work and it is also the manifestation of the Father's glory. This revelation of the Father implies the unity between the Father and the Son because Jesus has completed the work given by the Father.

The completion of the work given by the Father, implicitly expresses the obedience of the Son.(7) And the death of Jesus is the final completion of the work in his earthly life. It is also the revelation of the Father because Jesus expresses his absolute obedience on the cross.

In the entire Gospel, there are twenty-six phrases which use the singular  or the plural . Fifteen of them relate to the work(s) of Jesus: 4:34; 5:20, 36; 7:21; 9:3, 4; 10:25, 32, 37, 38; 14:10, 11, 12; 15:24; 17:4.(8) Within these fifteen phrases, 4:34 ( : ), 5:36 ( : )and 17:4 ( ) refer to the completion of the work of Jesus. Specifically, the singular  is used in 4:34 and 17:4 respectively which implies that the whole life of Jesus is one unitary work. In other words, the whole life-purpose of Jesus is to complete the work in order that he glorify the Father in the world. (9)We will further investigate the meaning of  in the following section.

2.2.3  in 17:4
a) Aspect of  in 17:4
Scholars do form different camps when they deal with the meaning of  in 17:4. Generally, they connect 17:4 with 4:34, 13:1 and 19:28 in order to elaborate on the attitude of Jesus in his work, especially, Jesus' completion of his work on the cross (19:28). The work of Jesus is intertwined with the glorification of the Father. This glorification is the aim of his work throughout his earthly life. Specifically, the aorist  implies a historical event. The attitude of Jesus is to accomplish the work that the Father has given; moreover, he completes the work in love and obedience. The author does not use an aorist which describes gifts regarded as given by the Father to the Son on his coming into the world to proclaim the Gospel. The perfect  indicates the work as having been given to the Son and as now belonging to him. The Son realizes the  by completing the work from the Father.

The prefatory participle used by the author of Jn is to prepare the readers for some especially solemn utterance or act of Christ. The participle  looks back upon the completed life of Jesus.(10)

b) lexical meaning of (11)
The non-biblical usage of is to make. In the participial form,  means to bring to completeness or wholeness. Moreover, it also comprises the meanings of fulfil, obey, observe, meet the requirements of and bring to pass a prediction.

In the Old Testament, the idea of completeness lies close to the idea of fullness (). In the LXX, the verb means to make perfect, e.g., "the beauty of Tyre" (Ez.27:11; ).

means to fulfil and to carry out in the New Testament. Among the twenty-three occurrences of in the New Testament, nine are found in the Johannine writings (five in Jn, four in 1Jn). is a causative verb and it is used as complete, being to an end, place in a certain (final) condition, make complete/perfect and to fulfil.

In the context of Jn, when  is applied to Jesus, it means that Jesus carries out the work of salvation, preaches the deeds which are given by the Father. Particularly, he completes the works in order to glorify the Father (17:4). 5:36 focuses on the individual works of Jesus and 17:4 underlines the unitary work of Jesus' whole life.

c) The meaning of  in 17:4
In Jn, the completion of the work of Jesus is mentioned in 4:34 ; 5:36 ; and 17:4( ).

In 17:4, the author uses the explanatory  which is used for the infinitive with the aorist subjunctive (12). Together with the final subordinating use of , the infinitive may be thought of as expressing a direction or goal.(13) This direction or goal should be best explained as the cross event in which the  of 19:28, 30 is used.(14)

Let us see the four verbs in v.4:


(1st. pers. sg. aor. indic. act.)
I glorified


(sg. m. aor. act. part.)
having completed


(2nd. pers. sg. perf. act. indic.)
you have given


(1st. pers. sg. aor. act. subj.)
I do


is aor. indic. which means a past event. Jesus glorified the Father already. Jesus glorified the Father by having completed the work which the Father has given (perf., temporal anticipation). The singular  is a collective word for works which points to the work. The obedient Son completes the work to the end, even though he dies on the cross.

3. Verse 4c:
Syntactic analysis
The relative pronoun  (nom. sg. n.) refers to the accusative  in v.4b.  (2nd. pers. sg. perf. ind. act.) has its referent as the accusative  in v.4a. The subject of this predicate is understood as  in v.1. The direct object is  (1st. pers. sg. dat.) which refers the Son.

4. Verse 4d:
4.1 Syntactic analysis
(15) is an indicator of the linguistic level of a final sense (purpose, aim, goal - in order that). The mood is generally in the subjunctive. When  is used with a subjunctive, it implies not only after a primary tense, but also after a secondary tense. There is a large number of  clauses in the Johannine literature (145 in Jn). Jn expresses purpose when he uses  which is in contrast to Lk who prefers an equivalent infinitive construction. In 17:4, the  clause is a final clause of v.4c and it refers to a specific goal.  (1st. pers. aor. subj. act.) is the subject of v.4d and it has its referent moi in v.4c. With , it is translated as to do.

4.2 Semantic analysis
of 17:4 is reminiscent of that of 4:34 and the aorist indicative  of 2:11.

4.2.1  in 4:34
Bultmann insists that Jesus the Revealer is inferior to the one who sent, and Jesus' life is to serve in his ministry. The service is to referred as his food; it means that he has come not only for this service, but indeed through this service.(16)

Schnackenburg maintains that Jesus in portrayed as obedient in 4:34. The decisive element in his act of redemption is the dedication of his will, his obedience towards God, which dominates his whole life and culminates in the sacrificial offering of his body.  seems to bring out the idea of the fulfilment of the divine task of redemption, which is completed to the end (17:4, 19:30).

The singular  means the whole work which Jesus has to do on earth and it is distinguished from  the individual works which he has to accomplish. The singular work signifies the whole life of Jesus on earth.(17)

Morris asserts that the work that Jesus does is not only a human work but also a divine work, because he does what the one, who sends him, wants. The aorist subjunctive corresponds to 19:30 in which Jesus says that it is completed. Morris also believes that the author of Jn elaborates a deeper sense in which nothing is more complete than the cross.(18)

The text itself expresses clearly that the whole life (food) of Jesus is to complete the work and to do the will of the one who sends him.

v.34 a

        b

        c

        d

The subject of v.34a is  and the object is  which refers to the  in 4:33. The predicate  (3rd. pers. sg. pres. act. indic.) is a response to the disciples' question in v.33.  of v.34b is an emphatic expression in order to stress what the food () of Jesus is (). Then v.34cd are explanatory clauses of the food of Jesus. The two aorist subjunctives  and  are the two predicates of v.34cd respectively. of v.34c has its referentin v.34b.   and  are the two direct objects of .  is a genitive participial phrase of which is identified with the genitive . These two genitives refer to.

There are some words of v.34cd which are similar to the words of 17:4, i.e., , and . In this verse, Jesus says that his food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. Jesus says that his food is to complete the work of God because the disciples ask whether someone brought him food. As food is a necessary material for continuing life, Jesus' answer signifies that his life is to complete the work which the sending one gives.  andare aorist subjunctives which imply that doing the will of God is equivalent to completing his work.(19)

As a result,  in 4:34 means that Jesus' whole life is to do the will of the one who sends him and the intention of Jesus is to complete the Father's work. Referring to  of 19:30, scholars relate  of 4:34 to the cross event. The death of Jesus makes the completion irrevocable.

4.2.2  in 2:11
v.11 a  

        b  

        c  

Schnackenburg states that the sign in Cana reveals the glory of Jesus and leads those whose faith is ready to a deeper understanding of the person of Jesus. Moreover, Schnackenburg emphasizes that the revelation of the glory of Jesus can be seen through believing eyes. As a means of Jesus' self revelation, the sign has the same force as his words, and as appears from the great miracles that will come later. 2:11 is a programmatic statement of what the signs essentially are and should be: the unveiling of the glory of the Word made flesh (1:14), of the Son of man who dwells on earth and remains linked with heaven. And it is a glory which can be grasped in faith and can thus lead to full faith in Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God (20:31). The glory which Jesus possesses and manifests on earth must be taken as the effect of his divine and heavenly glory, which he had before the creation of the world. (20)

Bultmann observes that 2:11 is not simply investigating the miraculous event, but through the whole of Jesus' ministry, Jesus reveals his glory. As a revealer, Jesus is finally visible after the completion of his work.(21)

Morris focuses on the believing of the disciples. The glory of Jesus is revealed to some and hidden from others. The disciples believe in him because they see his glory in the sign through their believing eyes. (22)

After having observed different aspects of  in 2:11, we put this aorist indicative in syntactic analysis.

is kataphoric to the object of v.11a,  (gen. pl. n.). The subject of the predicate  (3rd. pers. sg. aor. act. indic.) of v.11a is understood in 11b: .  (acc. sg. f.) has its referent.  (gen. sg. f.) is the indirect object of . The predicate  (3rd. pers. sg. aor. act. indic.) of v.11c has its referent as  in v.11b.  (acc. sg. f.) is the direct object of v.11c and  refers to   of v.11b. The subject of v.11d is and its predicate is (3rd. pers. pl. aor. act. indic.)  is related to the accusative personal pronoun and the genitive  refers to  in v.11b.

Precisely, in 2:11, the author indicates that Jesus did the first sign in Cana to manifest his glory, and as a result, his disciples believed in him. In other words, there is a connection between the working of signs and the manifestation of the glory of Jesus.

Consequently,   in 2:11 focuses on the glorification of the Son. The working of the first sign or other signs is not only the expression of the power of God, but the revelation of the glory of God. Secondly, the purpose of the work of signs, obviously, is to make the disciples believe in Jesus the Son of God. In other words, the work of Jesus glorifies (reveals) God the Father and the Son, indeed, the work itself also establishes the foundation of the Church .

4.2.3  in 17:4        
is closely related to  which we have discussed in v.4b. However, the work given by the Father to the Son may not require him to complete it. The Son can choose to accomplish the work partially or completely. In other words, is this  clause together with the aorist subjuctive  complementary or an expression of purpose?(23)

a)  as a purpose clause
As we have mentioned in the syntactic analysis of v.4d, John custom is to express purpose with a  clause. If  is used with a subjunctive, it is generally defined as a purpose (final) clause. (24)Therefore, the  clause in 17:4 implies that the work is given to Jesus with the intention that he should do it. Moreover, there are three aspects of an aorist subjunctive: punctiliar, ingressive and complexive(25). Within a  final clause, the aorist subjunctive is used as an infinitive(26). In other words,  in 17:4 is neither punctiliar nor complexive, but ingressive. An ingressive aspect of an aorist subjunctive expresses a sense of continuity. This continuity points out the final purpose of the action: he should do.

b) as complement of a verb
When an infinitive is used as a complement of a verb,  means that the work given to Jesus consists in the doing. In other words, the work consists in the fulfilment of the Father's will (also cf. 5:34)(27). A. Vanhoye compares  of 17:4 with  of 5:36. Grammatically, Vanhoye asserts that of 5:36 is a purpose clause because there is a complementary  as an object of . However,  of 17:4 has no complement and it is the complement of .(28) Moreover, in the context of 17:4, Vanhoye believes that the completion of the work of Jesus is in his passion. The passion of Jesus is the purpose of his work in which the Father is revealed by the Son, and conversely, the Son by the Father because they are in a union of love. In this case, is also a complement of the passion.(29) However, according to the definition in BDF, a complement of a verb is also a purpose clause.

Thus, to summarize this part,  in Jn17:4 can be seen from two aspects, either a purpose clause or a complement of a verb. If  is a purpose clause, Jesus is obliged to do the work given by the Father until the completion of the work in order that he can thoroughly glorify the Father. If  is a complement, it means that the work given to Jesus already consists in the doing. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the two hypotheses because both of them consist of the expression as a purpose clause. Moreover, in the context of 17:4, the participial clause  points out that the Son glorifies the Father by the completion of the work. This completion is to do the work given by the Father. Therefore, it implies a purpose: to do and complete the work. As a result, the Son intends to do the work as the glorification of the Father and, the work given to Jesus already consists in the doing. The fulfilment of the Father's will is the purpose of the Son.

5. Summary
The personal pronoun starts another theme in the context of vv.1-5.  emphasizes the glorification of the Father by the completion of the work of Jesus. Particularly in Jn, there is an interconnection between the works of God and the works of Jesus in which the working of signs and wonders is attributed to God by the Son as the mediator.

The author of Jn uses a singular  which does not imply the individual works but the work as a whole in Jesus' life. In other words, the whole life of Jesus is the work. This work is regarded is the salvation of humankind.

Some exegetes see the completion of the work of Jesus as his death on the cross by relating  of 17:4 to  of 19:30. Others underline the revelatory aspect of the work while they throw light on the aorist indicative . However, both of them express the obedience of the Son to the Father. In Jesus' death, he really and completely finishes his work and in this work, he glorifies the Father in the sense of revealing the Father to the world.

points out the attitude of Jesus when he does the work which the Father has given. To complete the work unto death expresses love of and obedience to the Father. The perfect  indicates that the work as having been given to the Son and as now belonging to him. This prefatory participle draws the attention of the readers to this solemn act of Christ. In the context of Jn,  means that Jesus carries out the work of salvation and  is best explained by the cross event because of its semantic connection with  in 19:28, 30.

When  is used with a subjunctive, it implies a purpose.  expresses the goal of the work of Jesus. This   clause of 17:4 is reminiscent of 4:34 and 2:11. Specifically,  of 17:4 finds its exact repetition in 4:34. In 4:34, the author uses  to elaborate the whole life of Jesus. His whole life is to complete the work which the sending one gives. The two aorist subjunctives,  and  imply that doing the will of God is equivalent to the completion of his work. Bultmann insists that the whole life of Jesus is to serve. Schnackenburg maintains that Jesus is portrayed as obedient in 4:34. He proposes that the decisive element in redemption is the dedication of his will to God. Finally,  in 4:34 means that the whole life of Jesus is to do the will of the one who sends him and his attitude towards the work is to complete it. Referring to  of 19:30, scholars relate  of 4:34 to the cross event because the death of Jesus makes the completion of the work irrevocable.

In Jn2:11, Schnackenburg and Bultmann believe that the working of signs reveals the glory of Jesus and Morris maintains that the working of signs is for the belief of the community.

Indeed,   in 2:11 focuses on the glorification of the Son and its purpose is to make the disciples believe in Jesus the Son of God.

in 17:4 may be investigated as a purpose clause of v.4c or a complement of the verb . In fact, we cannot exclude either of the investigations because they point out the functions of v.4d as the final clause of v.4c and a complement of .

Consequently, the completion of the work of Jesus is the revelation of the Father by his whole life, and his obedient death makes the work completely irrevocable. When the Father is revealed to the disciples who are able to see the glory of God, it is the glorification of God the Father and the Son.

 

Notes
1.
Cf. BDF, 122, #234; BAGD, 286; EDNT 2 (1991) 21. Regarding the meaning of , cf. the exegesis of v.1.

2.
Cf. BDF, 215, #417.

3.
Dealing with the lexical analysis of , we refer to BETRAM G., , in TDNT II (1965) 635-652, 642-643; BAGD, 308; BAUER J.B., Work, in BEBT, 995-1001, 996; SIMPSON J.W.Jr., Work, in ISBE 4 (1988) 1107-1111; HEILIGENTHAL R., , in EDNT 2 (1981) 49-51.

4.
BULTMANN R., Johannes, 199-200.

5.
Cf. ch. one, II. B. 3.

6.
See ch. one, II. B. 1.

7.
Cf. ch. one, II. A. 2.

8.
Cf. CKNTG, 683, #169.

9.
See BROWN R.E., John (AncB 29), 527: "The Concept of 'work' in John is wider than that of miracles; in xvii 4 Jesus can sum up his whole ministry as a work. No only are Jesus' miracles works; his words are works too."

10.
For the general aspect of , we refer to BULTMANN R., Johannes, 378-369: "die Verherrlichung des Vaters vollzog sich in der Vollbringung des aufgetragenen Werkes, - aber das Werk, das der Vater dem Sohne 'gegeben' hatte, ist ja das  und , also der Vollzug der " BROWN R.E., John (AncB 29A) 742; SCHNACKENBURG R., Johannesevangelium vol.3, 197: "und an ihn lehnt sich auch die Bitte an,  der Vater nun seinerseits den Sohn verherrlichen moge. Unter diesem Gedanken ist das Kreuzesgeschehen in das Werk, das der Sohn in Gehorsam und Liebe gegen den Vater (vgl.10:18; 14:31) vollbracht hat, einzubeziehen. Aber daraus darf man nicht folgern,  hier schon der erhohte Christus spricht; es ist das Gebet des scheidenden Christus, der der Vollendung seines Werkes (vgl.19:30) und seiner eigenen Vollendung  ist." Also see BERNARD J.H., St John Vol.II, 563; BARRETT C.K., St John, 504; MURRAY J.O.F., St John, 294-295; GAEBELEIN A.C., John, 315; CADMAN W.H., Heaven, 209.

11.
For the lexical meaning of , we refer to BAGD, 809; ABBOTT E.A., Grammar, 221, #2279; HUBBER H., , in EDNT 3 (1993) 344-345; GUNDRY R.H., Fulfil, in ISBE 2 (1982) 366-369; DELLING G., , in TDNT VIII (1972) 79-84.

12.
Another understanding of  is future indicative; however, in the context of 17:4 where the explanatory  is used,  is an aorist subjunctive.

13.
Cf. BDF, 201, #393.

14.
Cf. GAEBELEIN A.C., John, 315: "it means the finished work on the cross. If He meant the finished work, His death, how could He speak thus, when that work was still unfinished? We must remember that elsewhere in this prayer He speaks of being 'no longer in the world' yet He was still here. In anticipation He looks onward beyond the cross. He knew His work could never fail, that it would be finished, and therefore He gives expression to it in the presence of the Father and for the comfort of His own." See also BARRETT C.K., St John, 504: "the participle should be translated 'by finishing the work ...' The Son glorifies the Father by his complete obedience and faithful fulfillment of his task.  looks back upon the completed life of Jesus, and probable upon his death too (cf.19:30, )." BERNARD J.H., St John vol.II, 563: "His 'works' had been 'given' Him by the Father to accomplish (3:35, 5:36). They had now been accomplished, and presently He would say  (19:30)."

15.
For the analysis of , we consult LAMPE P., , in EDNT 2 (1991) 188-189; BDF, 186, #369; BAGD, 376-378.

16.
BULTMANN R., Johannes, 143: "Dieser immer wieder betonte Gedanke soll die Offenbarung als Gottes Handeln beschreiben: der Offenbarer ist nichts fur sich; er ist 'gesandt', und sein Leben und Wirken ist ein Dienst. Und wenn dieser Dienst hier (v.32, 34) als seine Speise bezeichnet wird, so ist dadurch gesagt,   er nicht nur fur diesen Dienst, sondern sogar durch ihn da ist."

17.
SCHNACKENBURG R., Johannesevangelium vol.1, 480-481: "Das Erlosungstat besteht in der Willenshingabe, im Gehorsam gengen Gott, der sein ganzes Leben erfullt und in der Opferung seines Leihes gipfelt. Ahnlich sagt Jesus in dieser Stunde seinen jungern,  er sich verzehre, um Gorres Willen restlos zu erfullen. Die zweite Wendung  scheint diesen Gedanken nur zu variieren, vielleicht um noch starker die sich bis zum Ende durchhaltende Erfullung des gottlichen Erlosungsauftrags auszudrocken (vgl.17:4; 19:30, hier aber .) Der Singular  meint das gesamte auf Erden von Jesus auszurichtende 'Werk' und ist von den , den einzelnen von ihm zu vollbringenden Werken, zu unterscheiden."

18.
MORRIS L., John, 277-278. Likewise, CARSON D.A., John, 228-229, agrees with Morris that Jesus completes his work on the cross. Moreover, he especially emphasizes the connection between 17:4 and 4:34.

19.
See also BARRETT C.K., St John, 241: "The ministry of Jesus has no significance apart from the will of the Father; it is not the independent achievement of humanity but the fruit of submission."

20.
SCHNACKENBURG R., Johannesevangelium vol.1, 338-340: "Das in Kana Geschehene ist ein Zeichen, das die  Jesu enthullt, und fuhrt die Glaubenswilligen (die Junger) zu einem tieferen Verstandnis der Person Jesu .... Das 'Zeichen' offenbart Jesu 'herrlichkeit', aber nur denjenigen, die es mit glaubigen Augen schauen. Als Mittel der Selbstoffenbarung Jesu tritt es vollberechtigt neben seine Worte und wird, wie sich bei den spateren Grobwundern zeigt .... So sind die drei Satzchen in 2:11 eine exemplarische Darstellung, was die 'Zeichen' ihrem Wesen nach sind und sein sollen: eine Enthullung der 'herrlichkeit' des fleischgewordenen Logos (vgl.1:14), des auf Erden weilenden, mit dem Himmel verbundenen 'menschensohnes' (vgl.1:51), die man im Glauben erfassen kann, um so den vollen Glauben 'an Jesus', den Messias und Gottessohn (20:31), zu gewinnen .... Die , die Jesus auf Erden besitzt und offenbart, wird man als Auswirkung seiner himmlisch-gottlichen Herrlichkeit ansehen durfen, die er schon vor Grundlegung der Welt  (17:5)." Likewise, CARSON D.A., John, 175, also stresses the sign is the revelation of Jesus' glory: "His glory would be revealed in greatest measure in his cross, resurrection and exaltation, but every step along the course of his ministry was an adumbration of that glory."

21.
BULTMANN R., Johannes, 83: "Fur den Evglisten erschopft sich der Sinn der Geschichte nicht in dem wunderbaren Ereignis; dieses, bzw. die Erzahlung, ist fur ihn Symbol dessen, was sich im ganzen Wirken Jesu ereignet, der Offenbarung der  Jesu .... ihn als den Offenbarer, wie er bach der Vollendung seines Werkes erst endgultig sichtbar geworden ist."

22.
MORRIS L., John, 186. Also see BARRETTE C.K., St John, 193: "It is implied that the disciples believed because of the manifestation of the glory of Jesus in the sign."

23.
Cf. VANHOYE A., L'oeuvre du Christ, don du Pere. Jn5:36 et 17:4, in RSR 48 (1960) 377-419.

24.
Cf. BDF, 197, #390: "In the NT it has become common again in a wide sphere with a variety of verbs of motion, and is the equivalent of a final clause."

25.
Cf. BDF, 174, #337.

26.
See ibid, 196, #388: "analytical constructions with  and  have developed into serious rivals of the infinitive. The following picture obtains for the NT: what can be interpreted as intended or probable result is expressed to a great extent by  and the subjunctive;  in other words has a subjunctive (imperatival) sense .... John exhibits a marked preference for  instead of the inf."

27.
Cf. BDF, 199, #392: "The infinitive as complement of a verb borders closely on the infinitive of purpose and result. (1) it is used with verbs meaning 'to wish, strive, avoid, ask, summon, make, allow, permit, hinder, be able, have power', .... Rev3:9 (, cf. 13:12, 15F."

28.
VANHOYE A., Christ, 381: "Cependent, une legere diffe-rnece entre les deux textes fait qu'elle ne convient pas aussi bien a l'un qu' a l'autre: en5:36 - nous l'avons note plus haut, - le verbe introduit par  () a son complement pres de lui, le pronom, tandis qu'en 17:4, le berbe introduit par () n'a pas de complement pres de lui. Dans ce dernier verset, le relatif o est donc a considerer comme etant le complement de   plutot que de  et ce dernier verbe est libre de gouverner la proposition  est a considerer comme finale. La transcription que nous avons donnee plus haut laissait pervevoir cette differnece: 5:36, (les oeuvres que tu m'as donnees pour que je les accomplisse); 17:4, (l'oeuvre que tu m'as donne que je fasse)."

29.
Ibid., 419: "On peut y reconnaitre l'importance du verbe , l'allusion a la Passion contenue dans  et y retrouver cette doctrine essentielle que l'oeuvre du salut des hommes est realisee par le Pere en son Fils, par le fils en son Pere, qu'elle revele ainsi leur union dans l'amor et y introduit ceux qui s'ouvrent a la foi."

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