The Patristic exegesis of Joh 4:21–24 and the true worship in Jerusalem (part I)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/BPTh.2016.035Keywords
Gospel (of St. John), patristic exegesis, worship (spiritual), Jerusalem (temple of)Abstract
The dialogue in the Gospel of St. John between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the Jacob’s well evokes the direct reference to the worship in spirit and truth. Joh 4:21–24 aroused very different reflections in the Patristic period. In this essay, we have examined certain hermeneutical issues involved in seeking to understand this pericope. This study, which is presented the first part, does not claim to provide a complete and exhaustive discussion of this topic. It is surprising the lack of success of this Johannine passage among the ancient Christian authors. Its exegesis generated various theological problems of considerable density. On the base of Joh 4:21–24 the Patristic literature developed a relativisation of the temple in Jerusalem. The Christian authors utilized the image of temple in Jerusalem to illustrate the spiritual aspects of the worship. The Gospel of John aroused interest at the Gnostics. After them a special place occupied the exegesis of Origen and his conception of the spiritualization of the cult. Under his influence were the great Cappadocians who analyzed the problem of worship in spirit and truth in various aspects: theological, spiritual and moral. Thanks to them, the Trinitarian interpretation of John 4:24 was added.
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