Chapter
2. Approaches to Character and Characterization in Biblical Studies
3. Studies on Character and Characterization in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts
3.1 The Four Gospels and Acts
3.3 The Gospel of Matthew
3.4 The Gospel of Luke and Luke-Acts
4. Character and Characterization in the Gospel of John
4.1 Early and General Studies
4.3 Special Focus Studies
Steven A. Hunt, D. Francois Tolmie and Ruben Zimmermann: Table on the Characters in the Fourth Gospel
Catrin H. Williams: John (the Baptist): The Witness on the Threshold
The “Telling” of the Witness and his Testimony (1:6–8, 15)
John’s Testimony Over Three Days (1:19–28, 29–34, 35–42)
The Last Testimony of John (3:22–30[31–36])
The Narrative Dwindling and Departure of John (5:33–36; 10:40–42)
The Character of John (the Baptist)
Christopher W. Skinner: The World: Promise and Unfulfilled Hope
The World in the Prologue
The World Hates Jesus and His Followers (7:1–7; 15:18–21; 17:14–15)
The World Follows Jesus in Ignorance (12:19)
The World Rejects the Spirit of Truth (14:15–17)
The World Rejoices at Jesus’ Departure (16:20)
The World Does Not Know the Father (17:25)
Ruben Zimmermann: “The Jews”: Unreliable Figures or Unreliable Narration?
A First Approach:“The Jews” in John – Complex and Difficult Material
History of Research and Methodological Approach
“The Jews” as Characters? Synchronic Approaches to οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι in John
Methodological Presuppositions
Oἱ Ἰουδαῖοι in the Fourth Gospel – A Descriptive Approach and Analysis of Texts
Telling About “the Jews” (in General)
Telling About and Showing “the Jews” as a Concretely Acting Character
“The Jews” as a Character in John – A Systematic Approach
Character Inventory: Where Do “the Jews” Appear?
Character Constellation: Identity and Interaction of “the Jews”
Character and Actions: What Do “the Jews” Do?
Character Traits: Neutral, Negative, and Positive Characterization?
Character Conception: “The Jews” as a Complex and Open Character
Conclusions: “The Jews” and Unreliable Narration
Sherri Brown: The Priests and Levites: Identity and Politics in the Search for a Messiah
Who Are You and Who Aren’t You? Testimony and the Question of Identity
The Narrative Force of the Priests and Levites in the Gospel of John
Uta Poplutz: The Pharisees: A House Divided
The Problem: Vague Characterization of the Pharisees
Theory: Narrative Analysis of Group Characters
Analysis: The Pharisees in the Gospel of John
The Pharisees as a Powerful Religious Authority
The Pharisees as a Consistent Group Character
Gary T. Manning, Jr.: The Disciples of John (the Baptist): Hearers of John, Followers of Jesus
Derek Tovey: An Anonymous Disciple: A Type of Discipleship
Martinus C. de Boer: Andrew: The First Link in the Chain
Michael Labahn: Simon Peter: An Ambiguous Character and His Narrative Career
Peter and the Complexities of Becoming a Spokesman and a Shepherd of Jesus’ Flock – Introductory Remarks
Peter in Jesus’ Public Life
Peter, the Steady Confessor
Peter and the Passion – Strong Words and Severe Failure
Too Quick to the Point: Peter’s Misunderstanding in the Johannine Foot-Washing Episode (John 13:6–10)
Only a Secondary Spokesman: Peter and the Beloved Disciple (John 13:21–30)
Greatest Loyalty and Greatest Misunderstanding
Misguided Courage (John 18:10–11)
Losing his Courage: Peter as Threefold Denier (John 18:15–27)
Still a Leader in Need of Understanding (John 20:2–10, 19–23)
No More a Sinner, but a True Shepherd (John 21:1–14, 15–19)
Still Second Place: A Final Note on Peter and the Beloved Disciple (21:20–23)
Paul N. Anderson: Philip: A Connective Figure in Polyvalent Perspective
Characterological Analysis and a Polyvalent Reading of the Johannine Text
The Characterization of Philip in John – the Surface Level of the Text
Philip’s Presentation in the Synoptics, Acts, and Eusebius – A Familiar Figure
Eusebius and Characterological Receptions of Philip in Asia Minor
The Characterization of Philip in John – Revelation and Rhetoric in Dialogical Context
Comprehension and Incomprehension
The Connective Function of Philip for the Johannine Audiences – Characterization in Received Contexts
Dialogism, Identification, and Meaning
Steven A. Hunt: Nathanael: Under the Fig Tree on the Fourth Day
Nathanael – The Questions of Identity and Historicity
Nathanael – Basic Characterization
The Johannine Cosmological Setting and Nathanael’s Entrance on the Fourth Day
Nathanael, from Cana, a Follower of the Baptist and Gift of God
Calling Nathanael (and Andrew, Simon, and Philip)
Latent Possibilities: Nazareth, the Branch, and Nathanael Under the Fig Tree
Mary L. Coloe: The Mother of Jesus: A Woman Possessed
Characterization and Theology
The Mother of Jesus: Her Characterization
Susan E. Hylen: The Disciples: The “Now” and “Not Yet” of Belief in Jesus
Assessing the Character of the Disciples
Comparison with Other Characters
Evaluating the Evidence for the Disciples’ Character
Mary L. Coloe: The Servants / Steward at Cana: The “Whispering Wizard’s” Wine-Bearers
The Steward and the Sign of Cana
Edward W. Klink III: The Bridegroom at Cana: Ignorance is Bliss
Joel Nolette and Steven A. Hunt: The Brothers of Jesus: All in the Family?
Mark A. Matson: The Animal Sellers/The Money Changers in the Temple: Driven Out – But Why?
R. Alan Culpepper: Nicodemus: The Travail of New Birth
John 3:1–12: Nicodemus’s Encounter with Jesus
John 7:50–52: Nicodemus’s Response to the Pharisees
John 19:38–42: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea
Mark Appold: “A Jew”: A Search for the Identity and Role of an Anonymous Judean
Harold W. Attridge: The Samaritan Woman: A Woman Transformed
5. Where Does Real Worship Happen?
6. Aftermath: Disciples and Townspeople
7. Jesus and the Disciples
Steven A. Hunt: The Men of the Samaritan Woman: Six of Sychar
Peter Phillips: The Samaritans of Sychar: A Responsive Chorus
Andy M. Reimer: The Galileans: Interpretive Possibilities and the Limits of Narrative Critical Approaches
Galilee and the Galileans in the Johannine Narrative
Interpretive Possibilities
Further Textual Indeterminacy
Methodological Indeterminacy
Two Distinct Possibilities
Peter J. Judge: The Royal Official: Not so Officious
Gilbert Van Belle and Steven A. Hunt: The Son of the Royal Official: Incarnating the Life Giving Power of Jesus’ Word
Structure and Plot of John 4:46–54
Some Particular Johannine Characteristics of John 4:46–54
The Characterization of the Official’s Son
The Royal Official’s Son and the Life-Giving Power of Jesus’ Word
The Royal Official’s Son, the Revelation of the Father, and the Proclamation of the Gospel
Peter J. Judge: The Slaves of the Royal Official: Servants of the Word
D. Francois Tolmie: The Ill and the Sick: Those Who Were Healed and Those Who Were Not
J. Ramsey Michaels: The Invalid at the Pool: The Man Who Merely Got Well
Cornelis Bennema: The Crowd: A Faceless, Divided Mass
Identity and Role of the Crowd
A Galilean Crowd of Common People in John 6
A Jerusalem Crowd of Common People in John 7
A Jerusalem Crowd of Particular Religious Partisans in John 12
Character Analysis of the Crowd
Characterization and Evaluation of the Crowd
Dieter T. Roth: The Boy with Loaves and Fish: Picnic, Plot, and Pattern
Cornelis Bennema: Judas (the Betrayer): The Black Sheep of the Family
Identity and Role of Judas
Character Analysis of Judas
Characterization and Evaluation of Judas
Susanne Luther: The Authorities: Indeterminate Complex Identities
The Johannine “Authorities” in their Literary Context
Traits of Character and Techniques of Characterization
Cornelis Bennema: The Chief Priests: Masterminds of Jesus’ Death
Identity and Role of the Chief Priests
Character Analysis of the Chief Priests
Characterization and Evaluation of the Chief Priests
Gary T. Manning, Jr.: The Temple Police: Double Agents
Scene 1: Failed Arrest (John 7:32, 45–49)
Scene 2: Successful Arrest (John 18:1–13)
Scene 3: Interrogation (John 18:18–25)
Scene 4: Crucify! (John 18:28–31, 19:6)
Sherri Brown: The Greeks: Jesus’ Hour and the Weight of the World
Setting the Scene: John 12
The Characters: John 12:20–36
The Narrative Force of the Greeks in the Gospel of John
Chris Keith: The Scribes and the Elders: Mirror Characterization of Jesus and His Opponents in the Pericope Adulterae
The Scribes, Moses, an Adulteress, and Jesus
The Purpose of Grapho-Literate Opponents – A Grapho-Literate Jesus
Peter Phillips: The Adulterous Woman: Nameless, Partnerless, Defenseless
Dave L. Mathewson: The Devil: Murderer, Liar, and Defeated Foe
Discourse Analysis and Characterization
The Proceeding Genesis of a Character: Diabolos and Satanas in the Making
The Devil as the Ruler of the World
Andy M. Reimer: The Man Born Blind: True Disciple of Jesus
Johannine Themes and Narrative Techniques
The Blind Man Provokes a Dispute
Development through Dialogue and Dispute
Creating a Round Character with Parallel and Contrast Characters
Matthew D. Montonini: The Neighbors of the Man Born Blind: A Question of Identity
Setting the Stage: Jesus, the Disciples, and the Blind Man (9:1–7)
The Absence of Jesus and the Nosy Neighbors (9:8–13)
Character Matters: Evaluating the Neighbors
Michael Labahn: The Parents of the Man Born Blind: The Reason for Fear without True Reason
Self-Definition in Terms of Ignorance
Ruben Zimmermann: The Believers Across the Jordan: On Location with Jesus
The “Many Believers” – Within the Gospel Context
Semantics of Space and Character Analysis in John 10:39–42
Constellation of Characters: The Believers, Jesus and John the Baptist
The Christ-belief of the “Many” and of the Readers
Marianne Meye Thompson: Lazarus: “Behold a Man Raised Up by Christ!”
Previous Studies of Lazarus
The Characterization of Lazarus
Death, Life, and the Character of Lazarus
Susan Miller: Mary (of Bethany): The Anointer of the Suffering Messiah
The Meeting of Jesus with Martha and Mary
The Portrayal of Mary as a Prophetic Figure
The Theological Implications of the Anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany
Gail R. O’Day: Martha: Seeing the Glory of God
Martha as Humble Interlocutor
Martha as Model of Appropriate Grief
Martha as Example of Emotion Hindering Faith
Rhetoric as Roadmap to Character Study
The Rhetorical Building Blocks of Martha as Character
Narrator’s Comments about Martha
Martha and the Revelation of Jesus’ Glory
Thomas Popp: Thomas: Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
Thomas as Character: Varying Portrayals
The Composition of the Thomas Texts
The Staging of Thomas’ Journey
Contextual Framework (11:1–44)
The Constellation of Characters
Contextual Framework (13:31–14:31)
The Constellation of Characters
Third Appearance (20:24–29)
Contextual Framework (20:1–31)
Constellation of Characters
Looking Back: Thomas – A Character that Could be Transformed
Wider Perspective: The Parallels and History of Reception
Adele Reinhartz: Caiaphas and Annas: The Villains of the Piece?
James L. Resseguie: The Beloved Disciple: The Ideal Point of View
The Ending (21:20–23, 24) and The Beginning (1:35–40)
Catrin H. Williams: Judas (not Iscariot): What’s in a Name?
Steven A. Hunt: The Roman Soldiers at Jesus’ Arrest: “You Are Dust, and to Dust You Shall Return”
Introduction – In the Beginning
The Cohort’s Characterization – In Action and Speech (18:3–13)
The Cohort’s Lanterns, Torches, and Weapons (18:3)
The Cohort’s Reinforcements?
The Cohort’s Mission – “Jesus, the Nazorean”
The Cohort’s Impotence, Unbelief and (implicit) Obedience!
The Arrest and Fruitful Echoes of the Cosmogony in Genesis
Christopher W. Skinner: Malchus: Cutting Up in the Garden
Helen K. Bond: People in the Courtyard: Escalating Darkness
The “Other Disciple” and the Portress
D. Francois Tolmie: Pontius Pilate: Failing in More Ways Than One
Research on the Characterization of Pilate in the Fourth Gospel
The Characterization of Pilate in the Fourth Gospel
Scene Two: John 18:33–38a
Scene Three: John 18:38b–40
Scene Seven: John 19:12–16a
David L. Mathewson: Barabbas: A Foil for Jesus, the Jewish Leadership, and Pilate
Michael Labahn: The Soldiers Who Crucify: Fulfilling Scripture
The Soldiers (στρατιῶται): Their Function and Presence in the Story
The Soldiers under the Cross and Their Deeds in Relation to the Crucified Jesus
Intertextuality and “Character Building”
Chelsea N. Revell and Steven A. Hunt: The Co-Crucified Men: Shadows by His Cross
“And with him two others …”
“The soldiers came and broke the legs …”
Detour: The Co-Crucified Men and the Implied Author
D. Francois Tolmie: The Women by the Cross: Creating Contrasts
Issues That Normally Receive Attention in John 19:25
The Women by the Cross From a Narrative Perspective
Jaime Clark-Soles: Mary Magdalene: Beginning at the End
Who is She? A Brief Background on Mary Magdalene
Jesus Gets Laid: 19:41–42
Magdalene Takes Center Stage: Vss. 1–2
Mary’s Angelophany: Vss. 11–13
The Turning Point: Mary’s Christophany (vss. 14–17)
Jesus’ Angel – Mary Magdalene’s Big Announcement: V. 18
Conclusion: Magdalene – What a Character
Jean Zumstein: The Mother of Jesus and the Beloved Disciple: How a New Family is Established Under the Cross
Constellation of Characters
The familia Dei under the Cross
William John Lyons: Joseph of Arimathea: One of “the Jews,” But with a Fearful Secret!
Joseph of Arimathea in the Fourth Gospel
The Implied Audience and Narrative Criticism
Bennema’s Joseph of Arimathea and Its Audience
Bennema’s Joseph of Arimathea – A Critique
Joseph of Arimathea and the Implied Audience of the Gospel of John
Joseph of Arimathea and the Implied Audience of the Gospels of John and Mark
Jan van der Watt: The Angels: Marking the Divine Presence
Christos Karakolis: The Sons of Zebedee and Two Other Disciples: Two Pairs of Puzzling Acquaintances in the Johannine Dénouement
“Two Others of His Disciples”
Old Testament (including LXX)
Early Christian Literature
Character Studies in the Fourth Gospel
：Narrative Approaches to Seventy Figures in John
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