“Family” as a Hermeneutical Key for the Interpretation of the Gospel of John

This research focuses on the “family” as a hermeneutical key of the Gospel of John. The status quaestionis examines how scholars have used the term “family” to interpret (parts of) John. The study will then focus on the use of family-related terminology in John and the question what kinds of relationships this terminology (e.g., μήτηρ, πατήρ) describes. The relevant texts are analysed exegetically (cf. Jn 1:12-13, etc.) and their function for the interpretation of John. Then I examine the family relationships and other relationships such as friendship relationships in John. Special attention will be given to 19:25-27 which will be studied in light of ancient adoption law. A study of the way the family “above” (cf. e.g., 14:1-3; 20:17) and the family “below” (cf. e.g., 19:25-27) are related in the Gospel of John follows. The coherence of the various family-related texts in the gospel will get special attention with the question if it is possible to speak of a Johannine “theology of the family.”