Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)

The Twofold Structure of Christology and Discipleship and Its Narrative Function

Abstract

Applying narrative critical reading to the passage John 4:1-42, this paper argues that the basic message of the narrative is twofold. The author closely weaves together his ideological point of view concerning Jesus’ true identity (Christology) and the message concerning discipleship as the basic structure of the narrative.

An analysis of the plot, setting, characters and characterizations in the narrative shows that the author places Jesus at the center of the narrative as the one who takes the initiative to reveal his own identity. The narrator employs various narrative devices (irony, misunderstanding, etc.) not only to reveal Jesus’ true identity but also to help the reader to grasp the author’s view concerning the ideal characteristics of followers of Jesus.

This twofold message of Christology and discipleship form the basic structure of the tapestry of the Johannine narrative into which the author weaves various Johannine motifs.