Abstract:
This essay is an exegesis of Jn 17:6-8 aimed at gaining an understanding of what the Fourth Evangelist tries to emphasize and to communicate concerning the character and success of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Firstly, a discourse analysis is conducted to point out the linguistic symmetric parallelism through which the Evangelist (1) emphasizes the success of Jesus’ ministry, (2) structures the principal components of Jesus’ ministry and the response of his disciples and (3) tries to explain the meaning of these components. Secondly, a theological exposition of these principal components is conducted, in respect of (1) Revelation: jEfanevrwsav … devdwka; (2) Obedience /Acceptance: tethvrhkan … e[labon and (3) Faith: e[gnwkan … e[gnwsan (ejpivsteusan) earthly ministry.