John among the Other Gospels: The Reception of the Fourth Gospel in the Extra-Canonical Gospels

✍ Scribed by Lorne R Zelyck

• Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 279
• Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament 347
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Lorne R. Zelyck explores the influence of the Fourth Gospel on the extra-canonical gospels from the second and third centuries CE, and evaluates how these other gospels used the Gospel of John. First he provides a succinct demarcation of the extra-canonical gospel corpus and introduces a critical methodology for measuring the influence of the Fourth Gospel. Then he measures its influence on the narrative, sayings, and dialogue/discourse gospels. Lastly the author concludes that the majority of extra-canonical gospels indicate a probable or plausible measure of influence from the Gospel of John: they have lengthy and shorter parallels with the Fourth Gospel, quote and exegete this work, and provide traditional interpretations of the Fourth Gospel that are evident in other early Christian literature.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface .................................................................................................VII
Part I: Introduction
1. Identifying the Extra-Canonical Gospels .................................. 3
1.1. What is a Gospel? ............................................................................ 3
1.2. The Sub-Genres of the Extra-Canonical Gospels .............................. 6
1.2.1. Narrative Gospels ..................................................................... 6
1.2.2. Sayings Gospels ........................................................................ 7
1.2.3. Dialogue/Discourse Gospels ..................................................... 8
1.2.4. Gospel Fragments ..................................................................... 9
1.2.5. Excursus: Doubtful Extra-Canonical Gospels .......................... 10
1.3. Theological Categories for the Extra-Canonical Gospels ............... 11
1.4. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 12
2. Method for Identifying the Reception of the
Fourth Gospel ......................................................................13
2.1. Introduction ................................................................................... 13
2.2. Method ........................................................................................... 14
2.2.1. Maximalist Methodology: F.-M. Braun ................................... 15
2.2.2. Minimalistic Methodology: M.R. Hillmer ............................... 15
2.2.3. ‘Realistic’ Methodology: T. Nagel .......................................... 17
2.2.4. Method for the Reception of the Fourth Gospel in the
Extra-Canonical Gospels ........................................................ 17
2.3. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 20
Part II: Narrative Gospels
3. The Egerton Gospel (P.Eg. 2 = P.Lond.Christ. 1,
+ P.Köln. 255) .............................................................................. 25
3.1. Introduction ................................................................................... 25
3.2. The Egerton Gospel and the Canonical Gospels ............................. 26
3.3. The Egerton Gospel and the Fourth Gospel .................................... 28
3.3.1. Episode 1 – Confrontation with the Authorities (1v.1–20
+ P.Köln. 255 1v.19–24) ......................................................... 29
3.3.1.1. Probable Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................... 29
3.3.1.2. Analysis of Episode 1 ................................................ 33
3.3.2. Episode 2 – Attempt to Stone and Arrest Jesus (1r.1–10) ........ 37
3.3.2.1. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................... 38
3.3.2.2. Analysis of Episode 2 ................................................ 40
3.3.3. Episode 3 – Healing of a Leper (1r.11–20 + P.Köln. 255
1r.19–24) ................................................................................ 42
3.3.3.1. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ..................... 42
3.3.4. Episode 5 – Question about Tribute-Money (2r.1–18) ............. 43
3.3.4.1. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................... 43
3.3.5. Episode 6 – Another Attempt to Stone Jesus (3r.1–6) .............. 44
3.3.5.1. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................... 44
3.4. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 45
4. The Gospel of Peter (P.Cair. 10759) ........................................ 48
4.1. Introduction ................................................................................... 48
4.2. The Gospel of Peter and the Canonical Gospels ............................. 50
4.3. The Gospel of Peter and the Fourth Gospel .................................... 53
4.3.1. Joseph’s Request and the Handing Over of the Lord (§§3–5) .. 53
4.3.2. Mocking the Son of God as a King (§§6–8) ............................ 54
4.3.3. Abusing the Son of God (§9) .................................................. 59
4.3.3.1. Analysis of §§6–9 ...................................................... 60
4.3.4. The Crucifixion of the Lord (§§10–14) ................................... 60
4.3.5. The Death of the Lord (§§15–19) ............................................ 65
4.3.6. The Removal from the Cross and Burial of the Lord
(§§20–24) ............................................................................... 66
4.3.7. The Securing of the Tomb (§§28–33) ...................................... 67
4.3.8. The Report to Pilate (§§43–49) ............................................... 68
4.3.9. The Women’s Visit to the Tomb (§§50–57) ............................ 68
4.3.10. A Fishing Excursion to the Sea (§§58–60) ............................ 69
4.4. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 70
5. Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 ......................................................... 72
5.1. Introduction ................................................................................... 72
5.1.1. The Historical Veracity of Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 ............. 72
5.1.2. The Nature of the Debate between Jesus and Levi ................... 75
5.2. Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 and the Canonical Gospels ................... 75
5.3. Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 and the Fourth Gospel .......................... 76
5.3.1. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................................. 76
5.3.2. Excursus: ‘Living Waters’ and Baptism .................................. 79
5.4. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 81
Part III: Sayings Gospels
6. The Gospel of Thomas (NHC II,2 + P.Oxy. 1, 654, 655) ..... 85
6.1. Introduction ................................................................................... 85
6.2. The Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Gospels ............................ 86
6.3. The Gospel of Thomas and the Fourth Gospel ................................ 87
6.3.1. Influenced by the Fourth Gospel ............................................. 87
6.3.2. Independent of the Fourth Gospel ........................................... 89
6.3.3. The Community-Conflict Thesis ............................................. 90
6.3.3.1. Variant Interpretations of Common Traditions
and Themes .............................................................. 90
6.3.3.2. The Negative Portrayal of Thomas in the
Fourth Gospel .......................................................... 92
6.3.3.3. Analysis of the Community-Conflict Thesis ............... 93
6.3.4. Parallels between the Gospel of Thomas and the
Fourth Gospel ......................................................................... 94
6.3.4.1. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .................... 94
6.3.4.2. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ..................... 99
6.4. Conclusion ................................................................................... 102
7. The Gospel of Philip (NHC II,3) ............................................ 104
7.1. Introduction ................................................................................. 104
7.2. The Gospel of Philip and the Fourth Gospel ................................. 105
7.2.1. Probable Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................ 106
7.2.1.1. Flesh and Blood (§23b) ......................................... 106
7.2.1.2. Knowledge and Truth, Freedom and Enslavement
(§§110a and 123d) ................................................ 109
7.2.2. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................ 113
7.2.3. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................. 118
7.3. Conclusion ................................................................................... 120
Part IV: Dialogue/Discourse Gospels
8. The Gospel of the Savior (P.Berol. 22220 + Strasbourg
Coptic Papyrus 5–7) ................................................................. 125
8.1. Introduction ................................................................................. 125
8.2. The Gospel of the Savior and the Canonical Gospels ................... 126
8.3. The Gospel of the Savior and the Fourth Gospel .......................... 126
8.3.1. Probable and Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel
(vs.12–23) .......................................................................... 127
8.3.2. Probable and Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel
(vs.91–93; 69–70) .............................................................. 134
8.3.3. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................. 141
8.4. Conclusion ................................................................................... 142
9. The Sophia of Jesus Christ (NHC III,4; BG 8502,3;
P.Oxy. 1081) ............................................................................. 144
9.1. Introduction ................................................................................. 144
9.2. The Sophia of Jesus Christ and the Fourth Gospel ....................... 146
9.2.1. Probable Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................ 146
9.2.2. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................ 148
9.2.3. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............................. 150
9.3. Conclusion ................................................................................... 153
10. The Gospel of Mary (BG 8502,1; P.Ryl. 493;
P.Oxy. 3525) ........................................................................... 155
10.1. Introduction ............................................................................... 155
10.2. The Gospel of Mary and the Canonical Gospels ......................... 156
10.3. The Gospel of Mary and the Fourth Gospel ................................ 157
10.3.1. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ........................ 157
10.3.2. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .......................... 162
10.4. Conclusion ................................................................................. 166
11. The Gospel of Judas (Codex Tchacos, 3) ........................... 168
11.1. Introduction ............................................................................... 168
11.2. The Gospel of Judas and the Canonical Gospels ........................ 169
11.3. The Gospel of Judas and the Fourth Gospel ............................... 170
11.3.1. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel
(Thematic Parallels) ....................................................... 170
11.3.2. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel
(Verbal Parallels) ........................................................... 173
11.4. Conclusion ................................................................................. 174
12. The Dialogue of the Savior (NHC III,5) ............................. 175
12.1. Introduction ............................................................................... 175
12.2. The Dialogue of the Savior and the Canonical Gospels .............. 176
12.3. The Dialogue of the Savior and the Fourth Gospel ..................... 176
12.3.1. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .......................... 176
12.4. Conclusion .................................................................................. 182
13. The Book of Thomas the Contender (NHC II,7) ................ 184
13.1. Introduction ............................................................................... 184
13.2. The Book of Thomas the Contender and the
Canonical Gospels ..................................................................... 185
13.3. The Book of Thomas the Contender and the Fourth Gospel ........ 186
13.3.1. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .......................... 186
13.4. Conclusion ................................................................................. 189
Part V: Conclusion
14. Summary and Conclusions .................................................... 193
14.1. Were the Extra-Canonical Gospels Influenced by the
Fourth Gospel? .......................................................................... 193
14.1.1. Ranking the Influence of the Fourth Gospel on the
Extra-Canonical Gospels ..................................................... 193
14.1.1.1. Probable Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............. 193
14.1.1.2. Plausible Influence of the Fourth Gospel ............. 194
14.1.1.3. Possible Influence of the Fourth Gospel .............. 194
14.1.2. Comparing the Influence of the Fourth Gospel on the
Extra-Canonical Gospels by Sub-Genre, Theology,
and Date of Composition .................................................... 195
14.2. How did the Extra-Canonical Gospels Use and Interpret the
Fourth Gospel? .......................................................................... 196
14.2.1. Quotation and Exegesis .................................................. 197
14.2.2. Lengthy Parallels ............................................................ 197
14.2.3. Shorter Parallels ............................................................. 198
14.2.4. Traditional Interpretations .............................................. 199
14.3. The Reception of the Fourth Gospel ........................................... 202
Chart 1: Identifying the Extra-Canonical Gospels ................... 205
Chart 2: Parallels between the Extra-Canonical Gospels
and Fourth Gospel .......................................................... 206
Chart 3: Concentration of Parallels: The Frequency of
Parallels Relative to the Length of Text ..................... 211
Chart 4: Number of Verses from the Fourth Gospel
Paralleled in the Extra-Canonical Gospels ................. 212
Bibliography ....................................................................................... 213
Index of Ancient Sources .................................................................... 237
Index of Authors ................................................................................. 257
Index of Subjects ................................................................................ 259