2 - The Testimony of John

Summary

The general heading, αὕστη ἐστὶν ἡ μαρτυρία τοῦ ʾ|ωάννου (i. 19), though it is formally connected with the immediately succeeding clauses, in substance covers the whole passage down to i. 34, where the repeated μεμαρτύρηκα fitly rounds it off. This passage, however, falls into two distinct parts (corresponding, as we have seen, to the two clauses of the Prologue, οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ ϕῶς, ἀλλʾ ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ ϕωτός). The first part, 19–27, consists of a dialogue between the Baptist and a deputation from Jewish headquarters at Jerusalem, and has appended to it the note that this dialogue took place at Bethany beyond Jordan. The second part, i. 29–34, consists of two declarations by the Baptist, said to have been delivered on the day following the visit of the deputation. This formally concludes the μαρτυρία, but the repeated proclamation, ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, in i. 36 indicates that the narrative contained in i. 35–7 is intended to be closely connected with the foregoing, and to indicate the effect of the ‘testimony of John’, in accordance with the clause of the Prologue, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν διʾ αὐτοῦ.

The structure of the passage has a general resemblance to Johannine patterns, but only so far as it consists of a sustained dialogue (19–27) followed by a monologue (29–34), with a short narrative-dialogue (35–9) as an appendix.