The Trials (Forensic) and Tribulations (Honor Challenges) of Jesus: John 7 in Social Science Perspective

Abstract

John 7-8 is unified on the narrative level in terms of the Feast of Tabernacles, at which prayers were made for rains and sunlight. Jesus declares himself to be the source of those benefactions and thus deserving of the nation's petitions and praise: he is the living water (7:36-38) and the light of the world (8:12). More importantly, the events at the feast are all structured in terms of forensic processes against Jesus. The trial that began in John 5 continues, but with a Johannine twist. Jesus warns the audience on judging justly. We examine each scene in John 7 in light of forensic process, noting the unity of the narrative in light of forensic process and assessing the ideological perspective of the narrator on whether the witnesses and judges judge justly; for it is a Johannine twist to "judge the judges of Jesus." Finally, forensic process should itself be assessed in terms of the dominant values of the ancient world, honor and shame. The push and shove of forensic charge and defense should be seen as the Johannine version of the ubiquitous challenge and riposte recorded by the Synoptics. Thus narrative, literary, and cultural considerations are brought to bear on behalf of an adequate interpretation of John 7.