Jesus’ Philoi vs. Jesus’ Douloi: Conflicts over the Paraclete’s Function and Authority in the Johannine Community

Abstract

This study discusses the Paraclete-related texts in the Fourth Gospel concerning the competition for authority between the Beloved Disciple’s written testimony and the Paraclete’s prophetic messages. The Johannine community experienced an internal conflict between the two groups, i.e., Jesus’ friends and Jesus’ slaves. Each group held its view on the function and authority of the Paraclete. The former understood the Paraclete as a reminder to the disciples of what Jesus already taught during his earthly ministry, as well as an interpreter of such teachings; it promoted the authority of the written tradition through the Beloved Disciple’s testimony. The latter, nevertheless, viewed the Paraclete as intending to reveal new teachings beyond those of the earthly Jesus; it advocated the authority of prophetic activities in the community, relying on the Paraclete. The evangelist supported the friend group, contending for the reliability and authority of Jesus’ tradition via the Beloved Disciple’s tradition preserved in the Gospel.