What Is Truth? Jesus, Pilate, and the Staging of the Dialogue of the Cross in John 18:28–19:16a
In the Johannine passion narrative, the Fourth Evangelist is concerned primarily with the unfolding drama of the revelation of God's love for humankind. The process of Jesus' glorification is presented as a five-act drama across as many geographical locations. In the third of these acts, J...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Catholic Biblical Association of America
2015
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| In: |
The catholic biblical quarterly
Year: 2015, Volume: 77, Issue: 1, Pages: 69-86 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | In the Johannine passion narrative, the Fourth Evangelist is concerned primarily with the unfolding drama of the revelation of God's love for humankind. The process of Jesus' glorification is presented as a five-act drama across as many geographical locations. In the third of these acts, Jesus faces "the Jews" and Pilate through seven scenes as his earthly destiny is determined. This central moment of the passion drama becomes the focus for the audience, as Jesus turns the tables and challenges Pilate with the truth that is his gift to the world. This article explores the performance features embedded in this text in terms of the staging of these seven scenes as Pilate moves outside and inside the praetorium to speak with "the Jews," who refuse to enter, and Jesus, who has been handed over to Pilate for crimes against the state. Jesus' passion turns on Pilate's inexorable decision. This act is thus the core of the drama by way of this distinctive set of dialogues between Jesus, Pilate, and "the Jews." As Pilate investigates the crime set before him and wavers between the accusers and the accused, he is stopped momentarily by his own question on the nature of truth. Leaving this question unanswered seals both Jesus' and Pilate's fate. At the same time, the audience is incited to step in, stop the vacillating, and offer its own answer, thereby also determining its own destiny in faith and the glory of God. |
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| ISSN: | 2163-2529 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The catholic biblical quarterly
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