Texts in Conversation
The opening of John follows a pattern in Jewish traditions about wisdom, such as in the Wisdom of Solomon, where wisdom is present with God at creation and sent to guide humanity. John centers this tradition on Jesus.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Wisdom of Solomon 9:9
Deuterocanon
1 “O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your word; 2 and by your wisdom you formed man, that he should have dominion over the creatures that were made by you, 3 and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and execute judgment in uprightness of soul, 4 give me wisdom, her who sits by you on your thrones. Don’t reject me from among your servants, 5 because I am your servant and the son of your handmaid, a weak and short-lived man, with little power to understand judgment and laws. 6 For even if a man is perfect among the sons of men, if the wisdom that comes from you is not with him, he will count for nothing. 7 You chose me to be king of your people, and a judge for your sons and daughters. 8 You gave a command to build a sanctuary on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city where you live, a copy of the holy tent which you prepared from the beginning. 9 Wisdom is with you and knows your works, and was present when you were making the world, and understands what is pleasing in your eyes, and what is right according to your commandments. 10 Send her from the holy heavens, and ask her to come from the throne of your glory, that being present with me she may work, and I may learn what pleases you well. 11 For she knows all things and understands, and she will guide me prudently in my actions. She will guard me in her glory. 12 So my works will be acceptable. I will judge your people righteously, and I will be worthy of my father’s throne.
Date: 50 BCE – 50 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
John 1:1
New Testament
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.
Date: 90–110 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The structure of John's prologue - Although there is at the present no consensus on what the precise structure of John 1:1–18 is, more and more scholars recognize that the prologue’s overarching outline parallels ancient Jewish Wisdom hymns found in texts like Proverbs 8:22–25; Wisdom of Solomon 9:9–12; and Sirach 24:5–27. M. E. Boismard has identified that structure as follows: Wisdom’s relation with God, her preexistence, her role in creation, her being sent to dwell among God’s people on earth, and finally, her benefits to those who seek her. John 1:1–18 fits this pattern: Wisdom’s / Christ’s relation to God (1:1), his preexistence (1-2), his role in creation (1:3–5), his being sent to dwell among God’s people (1:10–14), and his benefits to those who seek him (1:12, 16–18) ..."
C. Marvin Pate, The Writings of John: A Survey of the Gospel, Epistles, and Apocalypse (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2010), 39.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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