History of the Text and Johannine Exegesis: Jn 13.14 as Test Case

The idea of a single-form text is misleading. For this reason, we advocate a decompartmentalisation of low and high criticism. The aim of this paper is to provide some elements for reflection based on an example from the account of the washing of the feet: Jn 13.14 is treated as a test case. Our the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pastorelli, David (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2025
In: Filología neotestamentaria
Year: 2025, Volume: 38, Issue: 58, Pages: 119-143
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Textual criticism / New philology / History of effects (Hermeneutics) / Vetus Latina, Gemeinnützige Stiftung zur Förderung der Herausgabe einer Vollständigen Sammlung Aller Erhaltenen Reste der Altlateinischen Bibelübersetzungen aus Handschriften und Zitaten bei Alten Schriftstellern / Vetus Syra / Tatianus, Syrus -172, Diatessaron
IxTheo Classification:HC New Testament
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
TB Antiquity
TD Late Antiquity
Further subjects:B Bibel. Johannesevangelium, 13,14
Description
Summary:The idea of a single-form text is misleading. For this reason, we advocate a decompartmentalisation of low and high criticism. The aim of this paper is to provide some elements for reflection based on an example from the account of the washing of the feet: Jn 13.14 is treated as a test case. Our thesis is that these elements have an impact on exegesis and that the commentator benefits from paying attention to them. It requires bringing together three fields of research: textual criticism with its methodology; exegesis; and the history of reception. The 'Western' variants deserve attention from the point of view of the history of the text, because they are repeatedly the oldest and the most widespread. Here the history of reception requires giving due consideration to versions and patristic quotations, particularly in the Syriac and Latin traditions, and the testimony of the Diatessaron (c. 170) in favour of the 'Western' text is decisive. This is why the exegete should be encouraged to comment not only on the Alexandrian text, followed by the current editions, but also to take into account this other form of the text. Here, there are two possibilities. If the 'Western' reading is considered secondary, because it appears very early in the second century, the exegete gains by taking it into account with regard to the history of the reception of the text. If the 'Western' reading is considered original with regard to the establishment of the text, the exegete must comment on it.
ISSN:0214-2996
Contains:Enthalten in: Filología neotestamentaria