The contributors to this volume present an overview of current Johannine scholarship after the decline of the Semeia Source hypothesis. Focusing both on individual semeia narratives and broader topics such as scriptural interpretation, they offer insights into the theological and literary significance of the »Semeia« in the Fourth Gospel.
The volume brings together papers from the seminar »Johannine Literature« of the Society of New Testament Studies, offering a broad overview of current scholarship after the decline of the Semeia Source hypothesis. The contributors explore central issues of Johannine exegesis through detailed case studies and broader theological reflections. Several essays focus on specific semeia narratives - including the notable example of John 21 - and analyze the literary and theological function of the term »semeia«. They address overarching questions such as the interplay of signs and faith or unbelief, the relationship between signs and works, and the role of semeia within the narrative structure and theological framework of the Gospel. Special attention is paid to interpretive practices, particularly Scriptural exegesis, as employed within the Johannine corpus. Furthermore, a concluding study on the interpretation of the Cana sign in the homilies of John Chrysostom offers a patristic reception-historical perspective.
The contributors to this volume reflect the diversity of methodological approaches in current Johannine research and provide new impetus for ongoing scholarly engagement with the Gospel's theology, literary form, and historical reception.
Table of contents:
Jörg Frey: The Semeia Narratives of John in Recent Research: An Introduction -
Gilbert Van Belle: A Critical Survey and Evaluation of the Semeia Hypothesis in Johannine Research from 1994 to 2013 -
Dennis R. MacDonald: Semeia Narratives without a Semeia Source -
Catrin H. Williams: Signs, Scripture, and Divine Manifestation in the Gospel of John -
Jean Zumstein: Die vielfältige Interpretation des Brotwunders in Johannes 6 -
Michael Labahn: Joh 12,37-43 - ein semantischer Knotenpunkt. Die Deutung des Unglaubens angesichts des johanneischen Zusammenhangs von Zeichen und Glaube -
Laura Tack: Seeing the Written Signs. Crossings of Word and Image in John's Perception of Σημεῖα -
Andreas Dettwiler: Bedeutung und Funktion des Zeichenbegriffs im Johannesevangelium anhand von Joh 20,30-31 -
R. Alan Culpepper: Why the Great Catch of Fish? Ecclesial Imagery in John 21 -
Harold W. Attridge: Signs Working and Works Signifying -
Susanne Luther: The Authentication of the Miraculous. The Johannine Semeia Narratives Viewed Through the Lens of Narrative Historiography -
Michael Labahn: ‚Im Zeichen Jesu wurde den Jüngern Gottes Gabe zum Leben sichtbar nah.' Die johanneischen Wundererzählungen als Zuwendungsgeschichten zwischen Prolog und Passion -
Cosmin Pricop: Johannes Chrysostomos als Interpret der Hochzeit zu Kana (Joh 2)
