GOSPEL READING
The Prologue to the Gospel of John: Jn 1,1-18
The Prologue to the Gospel has had its special place throughout Christian history.
Here in a few verses we have a profound summary of the whole Christian message - as well as the Gospel of John itself. Given the way its thought soar up to the heavens, it is not surprising that the symbol for this evangelist is an eagle. As we read the prologue this week, we need to keep our aims limited and not to go in too deep. At this stage, we are looking for an overview of the Prologue, seeing how it sets the scene for the Gospel story that follows. Our orientation reading ought to have given us enough background for this. Once we get to the end of the Gospel in chapter 20 we will be exploring the links between that chapter and the Prologue. By that stage we ought to be reading the Prologue with far greater understanding.
A first look
So first, read the eighteen verses, taking about five minutes to do so.
The first step, as always, is to see how the prologue unfolds, what are its parts? Typically, the eighteen verses can be divided into 7 sections. What are they and what is the central section? (A good starting point is the verses about John (who is never called "the Baptist" in this Gospel).
Now have a look at the first Response
A closer reading
Four questions can be helpful as we read the prologue more carefully
First is about the evangelist himself: What relationship is established between the evangelist (as the story teller) and the reader (ourselves)? What does the evangelist know? Above all, can we trust him?
Then, What is the Old Testament background
How does the Prolgue present a summary of the story of the Gospel?
What themes of the Gospel are already present in the Prologue (light and darkness, for example)?
Finally, what do we learn about Jesus in these verses?
Hopefully, your orientation reading means you are already equipped to consider these questions, though the question about the themes of the Gospel might be a bit demanding. But have a go! For the second question, the OT background, you will probably need further guidance.
The Old Testament Background
We can with start with the obvious one: Gen 1,1.
Next, there are a great number of quotations from the Wisdom Literature of the OT which form the background to understanding "the Word". Passages to look at: Proverbs 8,22-31; Sirach 1,1; 24,1-12; Wisdom 9,1-2.9.
It's also helpful to look at Jeremiah 18,18 which gives a somewhat broader background for the prologue.
Moses is mentioned in 1,17; see Ex 34,6.28. For verse 14, look at Ex 25,8-9.
Now have a look at my Response to the four questions
We have not considered the role of John in the Prologue, we will now see his place as we move to the next stage of our reading, John 1,19-51