Four stages of Revelation

Abstract

Reflection on the formation of the NT canon often neglects the internal claims of the NT texts themselves in favor of a focus on their reception. However, while it is clear the canonical Gospels present the teaching of Jesus as authoritative, the intended authority of the written Gospel texts themselves has mostly been dismissed or even ignored by critical biblical scholars. However, this position is now being reconsidered, and the exegesis of particular texts may prove to counter the former assumption. The present article argues that there are four stages of revelation implicit within the Fourth Gospel. The author uses select narratorial insertions to convey the disciples’ post-resurrection remembrance, understanding and belief (2:22; 12:16; 20:9) as the uniting of the OT scripture (γραφή) and the revelatory word (λόγος) of Jesus as one divinely inspired and authoritative message revealed by the Holy Spirit (14:25–26). Consequently, the evangelist’s very writing of the Gospel transcribes this revelation for his readers (20:31) in order that they may believe and have life. John’s Gospel thus presents an internal claim for itself to its readers as “scripture,” through which the signs of Jesus, the reality of his life-giving death and resurrection and his very presence can be experienced by later readers and disciples.