'Mysticism' in the Gospel of John

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’Mysticism’ in the Gospel of John : an inquiry into the
background of John in Jewish mysticism.
Kanagaraj, Jeyaseelan Joseph
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Kanagaraj, Jeyaseelan Joseph (1995) ’Mysticism’ in the Gospel of John : an inquiry into the background of
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2
"MYSTICISM" IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: An Inquiry Into
the Background John in Jewish Mysticism
of
by
JEYASEELAN
JOSEPH KANAGARAJ
Submitted for Ph. D., March 1995
ABSTRACT
has
No detailed Johannine Palestinian Jewish background
study of mysticism against a
in
been This investigates there "mystical" practice
previously undertaken. study whether was a
first-century Palestine John be better in the light of such practice.
and whether can understood
In analysis, two strands of Jewish mysticism, the early forms of Ma`aseh Merkabah and of
Palestine. While the former by
Ma'aseh Bereshit, in first-century narrates
emerge as existing
means of Ezek. 1 the experience of seeing God in His kingly glory, the latter describes the
by Gen. 1.
same experience using
Part One Hellenistic
This thesis three analyses mysticism as
consists of parts.
by Philo. Part Two
by the Hermetica and Hellenistic-Jewish mysticism as presented
expressed
traces the important elements of Merkabah mysticism from the later Hekhalot literature and the
Jewish Christian belonging to 2 B. C. E. cent. C. E. By defining the term
cent.
and writings
-1
Jewish themes
"mysticism" by the fourteen aspects of mysticism, an exegetical study of seven
-
indwelling, light, the Logos is in Part Three. The
king,
and undertaken
sending,
glory,
ascent, -
in John Hellenistic Hellenistic-
that the conceptual parallels with mysticism and
study shows
SSýa
The two texts, Jn. 3: 13 and 12: 41, John's use of and
Jewish slender.
are very
mysticism
descent the Son Man to the
Sorä the king-motif, and his emphasis on the of of prior ascent
o,
Mericabah
his followers along with him, all indicate John's polemical motive against the
of
divine
his time. He them to Christian faith by proclaiming that the glory, claimed
calls
of
mystics
is in historical
be in human-like form the throne, now visible a person,
by them to on
revealed
in his death the Cross. Thus Jewish Throne-mysticism is reinterpreted by
Jesus, on
particularly
Cross-mysticism.
John
as
"MYSTICISM" IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN:
AN INQUIRY INTO THE BACKGROUND OF JOHN
IN JEWISH MYSTICISM
by
JEYASEELAN JOSEPH KANAGARAJ
The
copyright of this thesis rests with the author.
No from it be
quotation should published without
his information derived
prior written consent and
from it be
should acknowledged.
Requirements for the Degree
Submitted in Fulfilment the of
Thesis of
Doctor Philosophy
of
Durham
University
of
Theology
Department
of
March, 1995
N
<ý
14
JUN 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abstract
Title
Table Contents
of iii
Declaration
viii
Statement Copyright
of
Viii
Preface
ix
Abbreviations
xi
Chapter
I. INTRODUCTION
1
§1. IS JOHN A "MYSTICAL" DOCUMENT? 1
§1.1 The Problem
Definition 2
of
§1.2 Review Question
3
of
§1.2.1 The Traditional Understanding Johannine Mysticism 3
of
§1.2.1 A The Unio Mystica Theory 3
§1.2.1 B The Communio Mystica Theory 6
§1.2.1C An Analysis Traditional View 9
the
of
§1.2.2 John in the Light Hellenistic Mysticism 11
of
§1.2.3 Those Who View John in the Light Jewish Mysticism 14
of
§1.3 The Emerging New Trend in Johannine Research 23
§1.4 The Scope, Purpose Terms This Dissertation 25
the
and of
§1.4.1 Some Observations 34
PART ONE: HELLENISTIC AND HELLENISTIC-JEWISH MYSTICISM 36
Chapter Ii. HELLENISTIC MYSTICISM
37
§2. INTRODUCTION 37
§3. "MYSTICISM" IN THE HERMETICA 37
§3.1 The "Mystical" Vision 37
§3.2 Union God
40
with
§4. CONCLUSIONS
40
Chapter III. HELLENISTIC-JEWISH MYSTICISM AS IN PHILO
42
§5. INTRODUCTION 42
§6. THE REVELATION OF GOD IN PHILO 43
§6.1 Light God's Self-Manifestation 43
as
§6.2 The Logos God's Self-Manifestation
43
as
§6.3 "Mystical" Ascent in Philo 45
§7. "MYSTICAL" UNION WITH GOD 46
§7.1 Philo's Theme Indwelling 46
of
§7.2 "Mystical" Union God by Union Sophia 47
with with
§8. CONCLUSIONS 48
PART TWO: PALESTINIAN MYSTICISM IN THE FIRST CENTURY C. E. 51
Chapter IV. MYSTICAL FEATURES IN THE HEKHALOT
LITERATURE
52
52
§9. INTRODUCTION
§10. THE MERKABAH MYSTICAL ELEMENTS: A REVIEW 53
Chapter V. EVIDENCE OF MERKABAH MYSTICISM IN
PRE-CHRISTIAN WRITINGS
59
§11. INTRODUCTION 59
§12. THE WISDOM OF JESUS BEN SIRA 59
§12.1 Sirach 59
49: 8
§12.2 Sirach 3: 21-23 60
IV
§13. THE QUMRAN
LITERATURE
61
§13.1 Introduction
61
§13.2
4QShirShabb
61
§13.2.1
4Q403 1 ii 1-16 62
§13.2.2
40405 20 ii-21-22
64
§13.2.3 Communal
Mysticism
67
§13.3 The Context
4QShirShabb 68
of
§13.4 The Esoteric Character Qumran Writings 70
of
§13.5
4QMess Ar 73
§14. CONCLUSIONS
74
Chapter
VI. EVIDENCE OF MERKABAH MYSTICISM IN
CHRISTIAN ERA
76
§15. INTRODUCTION 76
§16. II CORINTHIANS 76
12
§16.1 The Heavenly Ascent 77
§16.2 An Ecstatic Experience 77
§16.3 An Esoteric Experience 78
§16.4 The Destination 78
§16.5 Does Paul's Ascent Include Heavenly Vision? 79
a
§17. THE ASCENSION OF ISAIAH 81
§18. THE HEAVENLY ASCENT OF MOSES 83
§18.1 The Exagoge 83
§18.2 The Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum (Pseudo-Philo) 84
§19. CONCLUSIONS 85
Chapter VII. THE APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE OF THE
LATE FIRST CENTURY
87
§20. INTRODUCTION 87
§21. THE SIMILITUDES OF ENOCH (1 EN. 37-71) 88
§21.1 1 Enoch 39 88
§21.2 1 Enoch 47-48 88
§21.3 1 Enoch 71 89
§21.3.1 A Vision God by Ascent to Heaven 89
of
§21.3.2 The Angels 90
§21.3.3 The Visionary 90
§21.3.4 The Son Man 91
of
§21.4 Summary 93
§22. THE SLAVONIC BOOK OF ENOCH (2 ENOCH) 93
§22.1 The Heavenly Ascent 93
§22.2 The Angels 94
§22.3 Cosmology 95
§22.4 Paradise (o-r-) 95
§22.5 The Vision God the Throne 96
of on
§22.6 The Transformation the Commissioning Enoch 97
and of
§23. THE FOURTH BOOK OF EZRA 99
§23.1 Does 4Ezra Deny Ascent to Heaven? 99
an
§23.2 The Fifth the Sixth Visions Ezra 101
and of
§24. THE APOCALYPSE OF ABRAHAM 103
§24.1 Preparation the Angelic Guidance 103
and
§24.2 The Heavenly Vision 103
The Merkabah Hymn 104
§24.2.1
§24.2.2 The Throne-Vision 104
§24.3 The Angel, Jaoel 105
107
Summary
§24.4
§25. THE TESTAMENT OF ABRAHAM 108
§25.1 The Heavenly Ascent the Vision Abraham 108
and of
110
§25.2 11 QMelch
112
§25.3 Final Observations
§26. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 112
§26.1 The Idea Son 112
of of man
V
§26.1.1 The Son Man is the One Constitutes Glory
of the
who
God
113
of
§26.1.2 The Son Man Seated Cloud
of on the 115
§26.2 The Throne-Vision
116
§27. "TWO POWERS
IN HEAVEN" HERESY
118
§28. CONCLUSIONS
120
Chapter VIII. THE YOHANAN
BEN ZAKKAI TRADITION
121
§29. INTRODUCTION
121
§30. THE MEKHILTA VERSION OF THE YOHANAN
TRADITION 121
§31. THE MERKABAH MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE 123
§32. DID YOHANAN PRACTISE MERKABAH MYSTICISM? 126
§33. CONCLUSIONS
128
Chapter
IX. THE INFLUENCE OF KEY PASSAGES FROM THE
SCRIPTURE
129
§34. INTRODUCTION 129
§35. THE MERKABAH MYSTICAL ELEMENTS IN EZEKIEL 129
§35.1 The Living Creatures (rnr) 129
§35.2 The Wheels (c 131
i)
§35.3 The Glory God Throne 131
the
of on
§35.4 The Prophetic Commission 134
§35.5 Some Observations 134
§36. THE MERKABAH MYSTICAL ELEMENTS IN ISAIAH 6 135
§36.1 The Vision God Throne 135
the
of on
§36.2 The Seraphim 137
§36.3 The Heavenly Hymn 137
§36.4 Fire 138
§36.5 The Divine Commission 138
§37. DANIEL'S VISION IN DANIEL 7 AND MERKABAH
MYSTICISM 139
§37.1 The Throne-Vision 139
§37.2 Seeing God 140
§37.3 The Element Fire 141
of
§37.4 The Retinue Angels 141
of
§37.5 The One Like A Son Man 142
of
§38. CONCLUSIONS 147
Chapter X. CONCLUSION (FOR PART TWO)
149
PART THREE: "MYSTICISM" IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 151
Chapter XI. INTRODUCTION
152
§39. MYSTICAL CURRENTS AT THE TIME OF JOHN 152
§39.1 Hellenistic Mysticism 152
§39.2 Hellenistic-Jewish Mysticism in Philo 153
as
§39.3 Palestinian Jewish Mysticism 153
IN JOHN
Chapter XII. THE ASCENT-MOTIF 154
154
§40. INTRODUCTION
§41. THE ASCENT AND DESCENT OF THE ANGELS 154
§41.1 John 1: 51 154
156
§41.2 John 1: 51 b
§41.3 The Significance of the Son of Man and the Angels 158
§42. THE DESCENT OF THE SON OF MAN 160
160
§42.1 John 3: 13
§42.2 The Background John 3: 13 163
of
ävwOsv Kingdom God 166
§42.3 Birth the
and of
168
§42.4 John 3: 14-15
§43. THE ASCENT OF THE SON OF MAN 170
vi
§43.1 John 6: 62
170
§43.2 The Heavenly
Journey
172
§43.3 The Heavenly Dwellings
174
§44. CONCLUSIONS
175
Chapter XIII. A VISION OF GOD ON THE THRONE
178
§45. INTRODUCTION
178
§46. THE IDEA OF
"SEEING"
178
§46.1 The Idea Conveyed öpäw
by
178
§46.2 The idea Conveyed
by kd0lµ BEwpew 180
and
i.
§46.3 Hearing, Seeing,
Believing,
181
and witnessing
§46.4 The Relevant
Background Johannine "Seeing" 181
of
§47. THE GLORY-MOTIF
183
§47.1 The 6ö God
183
a of
§47.2 The &a Jesus
184
of
§47.2.1 John 1: 14 184
§47.2.2 John
12: 41 188
§47.3 The Use &)ß(K in John 189
of
w
§47.4 A Community Affair 192
§47.5 The övopa God 193
of
§48. THE KING-MOTIF IN JOHN 195
§48.1 Jesus King 195
as
§48.1.1 Nathanael's Confession 195
§48.1.2 Entry into Jerusalem 196
§48.1.3 Jesus Prophet King 197
as and
§48.1.4 Summary
198
§48.2 Jesus' Kingship Clarified 198
§48.2.1 Jesus King in His Paradoxical Exaltation 202
as
§48.2.2 Jesus' Kingship is God's Kingship 203
§48.2.3 Jesus, the Man/King, Judge 204
as
§49. CONCLUSIONS 206
Chapter XIV. THE "SENDING OF THE SON" IN JOHN
209
§50. INTRODUCTION 209
§51. REVELATION BY "SENDING" 209
§51.1 The Revealed Glory in the Mission the Son 211
of
§52. THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE SON'S MISSION 212
§52.1 Witnessing 212
§52.2 Judgment 214
§52.3 Salvation Eternal Life 215
or
§53. THE POSSIBLE BACKGROUND FOR UNDERSTANDING
JOHN'S SENDING-MOTIF 216
§54. CONCLUSIONS 222
CHAPTER XV. THE JOHANNINE IDEA OF INDWELLING
224
§55. INTRODUCTION 224
§56. MENEIN EN IN JOHN 224
§56.1 Union Jesus is God's Gift 225
with
§56.2 Union Jesus the Heavenly Journey 225
with and
§56.3 Mutual Abiding Denotes "Seeing" 226
Union 227
§56.4 Fruit-Bearing
§56.5 The Joy Being in Union Jesus 229
of with
§56.6 The Theme Union in the Light Merkabah Mysticism 230
of of
§57. THE IDEA OF r'INS2ZKEIN IN JOHN 232
§57.1 The Possibility for Humans to Know God 232
233
§57.2 Knowing "Seeing"
as
§57.3 Knowing Mutual Indwelling 234
as
236
§57.4 Knowing is Eternal Life
§57.5 Knowing in Relation to Worship Witness 237
and
§58. CONCLUSIONS 239
vii
Chapter XVI. THE LIGHT MOTIF IN JOHN
241
§59. INTRODUCTION
241
§60.4 AS GOD'S SELF-MANIFESTATION 241
ciIS
§61. POSSIBLE BACKGROUND TO THE JOHANNINE
LIGHT-MOTIF 243
§62. THE SALVIFIC EFFECT OF THE JOHANNINE 246
§63. CONCLUSIONS 248
Chapter XVII. THE JOHANNINE LOGOS
250
§64. INTRODUCTION 250
§65. THE REVELATORY NATURE OF THE LOGOS 250
§65.1 The Logos in its Pre-existent State 250
§65.2 The Logos Light in the World 253
as
§65.3 The Revelation the Logos in Flesh 255
of
§66. CONCLUSIONS 257
Chapter XVIII. THE ESOTERIC ELEMENTS IN JOHN
259
259
§67. INTRODUCTION
259
§68. JOHN'S LITERARY DEVICES
260
§68.1 Irony in John
§68.2 Symbols 261
§68.3 Signs 262
263
§68.4 Misunderstanding
§68.5 The Mystery Behind These Literary Techniques 265
266
§69. THE COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
267
§70. CONCLUSIONS
Chapter XIX. CONCLUSION 269
BIBLIOGRAPHY 276
viii
DECLARATION
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previously
confirm no part of material contained
by for degree in the University Durham in University.
submitted me a of or any other
Signed:
ýýoý, cc
Date:
-.
ýrc
OF COPYRIGHT
STATEMENT
the
The this thesis author.
copyright of rests with
from it be
No should published without
quotation
derived
information
his
consent and
prior written
from it be
acknowledged.
should