VISIT with NICODEMUS – John 3
I was getting ready for the Trinity Sunday sermon (2024). Interesting choice of the Gospel reading – John 3:1-17. For starters, the passage should have been extended to v. 21 of chapter 3. But this is not my main point for this post. As prep I consulted William C. Weinrich, John 1:1 – 7:1(Concordia Commentary, CPH: 2015). On page 382… Let me pause here: just think about it, almost 900 pages for the first 6 chapters (!), and, obviously, by the middle – 380s – he approaches chapter 3…
So, on p. 382 Dr. Weinrich presents an interesting
structure of the passage:
2:23-3:2a Introduction, setting of the context
3:2b-3 First exchange (“amen, amen, I
say to you,” 3:3)
3:4-8 Second exchange (“amen, amen,
I say to you,” 3:5)
3:9-15 Third exchange (“amen, amen, I
say to you,” 3:11)
3:16-21 Kerygmatic
commentary by the evangelist
What caught my attention were two things: (1) Dr. Weinrich
states that the passage, actually, begins in 2:23. I had my post on the structure of John, chapters 2 to 4. I am not sure that I agree that 2:23 introduces
this passage, IMHO – 2:23 concludes the previous passage which begins in 2:13 –
usage of Passover, Jerusalem, Jesus – He. On the other hand, Just an idea that a few
verses from chapter two introduce the setting of the conversation with Nicodemus
is an interesting one. After serious consideration, it forced me to change my
previous post. I think the passage begins at 2:24, where the theme of witness by
men is introduced – Jesus will pick it up in 3:9-15.
(2) He treats 3:16-21 as a commentary of John on the words
of Jesus. Interesting, but not convincing. We have quite a number of places
where John “raises” his own voice – but most of the times it is obvious cause
it is related to the post-resurrection times (cp. John 2:21-22). Yet, it was a
helpful note seeing 3:16-21 as an independent unit. What he is missing though
(not really missing, but what can be added) is this block has three “for”s - γαρ (3:16; 3:17-19; 3:20-21).
Building on that, the outline for the visit in the night
passage might look like this which resembles the creational pattern:
n |
Passage in
John |
Description |
Creation
parallel |
i. |
2:24-3:2a |
setting the
scene, night (3:1) |
darkness of
the initial creation (Gen. 1:2) |
|
|
Three
questions: |
|
ii |
3:2b-3 |
Being from
God is being born from above |
space above
the firmament (Gen. 1:6-8) |
iii |
3:4-8 |
Born from the
flesh vs. born from the water and the Spirit |
separation of
the waters and the land |
iv |
3:9-15 |
the topic is
too high – so, ascension of the Son of God |
Stars in
heaven that rule the days and the nights |
|
|
Three “conclusion” |
|
v |
3:16 |
only-begotten
Son is given for the world |
Fish and
birds set the boundaries of the life in the world |
vi |
3:17-19 |
believing in
the Son of God |
Creation of
the first Adam |
vii |
3:20-21 |
works exposed |
Sabbath
judgement/evaluation |
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