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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Gospel of John

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of divided by 7

Divided in seven structure seems to characterize roughly each divided portion. Main theme in 7-1 is about the first disciples, in 7-2 is about miracles of healing, in 7-3 is about identity of Jesus, in 7-4 is about refusal of people, in 7-5 is about the last supper, in 7-6 is about the Passion, in 7-7 is about the resurrection.


7-1

1 The word became flesh (1:1-18)
  2 The testimony of John the Baptist (1:19-28)
    3 The lamb of God (1:29-34)
      4 The first disciple of Jesus (1:35-42)
    5 Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
  6 The wedding at Cana (2:1-12)
7 Jesus cleanses the temple (2:13-25)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The word became flesh (1:1-18)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-17 Jesus cleanses the temple (2:13-25)
see 4-1-1
2 The testimony of John the Baptist (1:19-28)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-16 The wedding at Cana (2:1-12)
see 4-1-1
3 The lamb of God (1:29-34)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-15 Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
see 4-1-1

7-1-1

1 The word became flesh (1:1-18)
  2 The testimony of John the Baptist (1:19-28)
  3 The lamb of God (1:29-34)
4 The first disciple of Jesus (1:35-42)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The word became flesh (1:1-18)
1:15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'"(1:15)
John's testimony4 The first disciple of Jesus (1:35-42)
1:36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." (1:36)
2 The testimony of John the Baptist (1:19-28)
1:27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." (1:27)
Jesus is greater than John3 The lamb of God (1:29-34)
1:30 He is the one of whom I said, A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.(1:30)

7-1-2

4 The first disciple of Jesus (1:35-42)
  5 Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
  6 The wedding at Cana (2:1-12)
7 Jesus cleanses the temple (2:13-25)
Former halfRelationLatter half
4 The first disciple of Jesus (1:35-42)
1:37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.(1:37)
Disciples beleive7 Jesus cleanses the temple (2:13-25)
2:22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. (2:22)
5 Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
1:50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."(1:50)
Seeing and believing6 The wedding at Cana (2:1-12)
2:11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.(2:11)

7-2

8 Nicodemus visits Jesus (3:1-21)
  9 John the Baptist's Final Witness (3:22-36)
    10 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria (4:1-42)
      11 Healing the Official's Son (4:43-54)
    12 Jesus heals on the Sabbath (5:1-47)
  13 Feeding the five thousand (6:1-15)
14 Jesus walks on the water (6:16-21)
Former halfRelationLatter half
8 Nicodemus visits Jesus (3:1-21)
3:8 The wind blows where it wills (3:8)
The wind blows14 Jesus walks on the water (6:16-21)
6:18 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. (6:18)
9 John the Baptist's Final Witness (3:22-36)
3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. (3:28)
Who is Jesus?13 Feeding the five thousand (6:1-15)
6:14 This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world. (6:14)
10 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria (4:1-42)
4:12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?" (4:12)
Jesus's authority12 Jesus heals on the Sabbath (5:1-47)
5:18 For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. (5:18)

7-2-1

8 Nicodemus visits Jesus (3:1-21)
  9 John the Baptist's Final Witness (3:22-36)
  10 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria (4:1-42)
11 Healing the Official's Son (4:43-54)
Former halfRelationLatter half
8 Nicodemus visits Jesus (3:1-21)
3:12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? (3:12)
The people who dont believe11 Healing the Official's Son (4:43-54)
4:48 Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." (4:48)
9 John the Baptist's Final Witness (3:22-36)
3:33 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. 3:34 For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.(3:33-34)
The spirit and the truth10 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria (4:1-42)
4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth." (4:24)

7-2-2

11 Healing the Official's Son (4:43-54)
  12 Jesus heals on the Sabbath (5:1-47)
  13 Feeding the five thousand (6:1-15)
14 Jesus walks on the water (6:16-21)
Former halfRelationLatter half
11 Healing the Official's Son (4:43-54)
4:48 Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe. (4:48)
Testimony by the signs14 Jesus walks on the water (6:16-21)
6:19they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid.(6:19)
12 Jesus heals on the Sabbath (5:1-47)
5:9 Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. (5:9)
Healing for the sick13 Feeding the five thousand (6:1-15)
6:2 A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. (6:2)

7-3

15 The bread from heaven (6:22-71)
  16 The unbelief of Jesus' brothers (7:1-13)
    17 The law and Moses (7:14-24)
      18 Officers are sent to arrest Jesus (7:25-36)
    19 River of living water (7:37-52)
  20 Jesus the light of the world (8:12-30)
21 Before Abraham was born, I am (8:31-59)
Former halfRelationLatter half
15 The bread from heaven (6:22-71)
6:50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. (6:50)
Immortality21 Before Abraham was born, I am (8:31-59)
8:51 whoever keeps my word will never see death. (8:51)
16 The unbelief of Jesus' brothers (7:1-13)
7:8 my time has not yet been fulfilled.(7:8)
The hour had not yet come20 Jesus the light of the world (8:12-30)
8:20 his hour had not yet come. (8:20)
17 The law and Moses (7:14-24)
7:19 Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. (7:19)
The law19 River of living water (7:37-52)
7:49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. (7:49)

7-3-1

15 The bread from heaven (6:22-71)
  16 The unbelief of Jesus' brothers (7:1-13)
  17 The law and Moses (7:14-24)
18 Officers are sent to arrest Jesus (7:25-36)
Former halfRelationLatter half
15 The bread from heaven (6:22-71)
6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him (6:44)
Where I am you cannot come18 Officers are sent to arrest Jesus (7:25-36)
7:34 You will look for me but not find (me), and where I am you cannot come. (7:34)
16 The unbelief of Jesus' brothers (7:1-13)
7:1 the Jews were trying to kill him.(7:1)
Killing17 The law and Moses (7:14-24)
7:19 Why are you trying to kill me? (7:19)

7-3-2

18 Officers are sent to arrest Jesus (7:25-36)
  19 River of living water (7:37-52)
  20 Jesus the light of the world (8:12-30)
21 Before Abraham was born, I am (8:31-59)
Former halfRelationLatter half
18 Officers are sent to arrest Jesus (7:25-36)
7:25 Is he not the one they are trying to kill? (7:25)
Killing21 Before Abraham was born, I am (8:31-59)
8:37 you are trying to kill me (8:37)
19 River of living water (7:37-52)
7:48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? (7:48)
The believers20 Jesus the light of the world (8:12-30)
8:30 Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him. (8:30)

7-4

22 A man born blind receives sight (9:1-41)
  23 The sheep, the Shepherd, and sheep robbers (10:1-21)
    24 Jesus is rejected by the Jews (10:22-42)
      25 Jesus raises Lazarus to life (11:1-44)
    26 The plot to kill Jesus (11:45-57)
  27 Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
28 Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
22 A man born blind receives sight (9:1-41)
see 1-1
see 1-128 Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19)
see 1-1
23 The sheep, the Shepherd, and sheep robbers (10:1-21)
see 1-1
see 1-127 Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
see 1-1
24 Jesus is rejected by the Jews (10:22-42)
see 1-1
see 1-126 The plot to kill Jesus (11:45-57)
see 1-1

7-4-1

22 A man born blind receives sight (9:1-41)
  23 The sheep, the Shepherd, and sheep robbers (10:1-21)
  24 Jesus is rejected by the Jews (10:22-42)
25 Jesus raises Lazarus to life (11:1-44)
Former halfRelationLatter half
22 A man born blind receives sight (9:1-41)
9:3 it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. (9:3)
The reason of the signs25 Jesus raises Lazarus to life (11:1-44)
11:4 This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.(11:4)
23 The sheep, the Shepherd, and sheep robbers (10:1-21)
10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. (10:18)
No one can take24 Jesus is rejected by the Jews (10:22-42)
10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.(10:29)

7-4-2

25 Jesus raises Lazarus to life (11:1-44)
  26 The plot to kill Jesus (11:45-57)
  27 Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
28 Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
25 Jesus raises Lazarus to life (11:1-44)
11:4 This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. (11:4)
The glory28 Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19)
12:16 when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.(12:16)
26 The plot to kill Jesus (11:45-57)
11:50 nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish. (11:50)
Plot to kill27 Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
12:10 And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too (12:10)

7-5

29 Jesus speaks about his death (12:20-36)
  30 The unbelief of the people (12:37-50)
    31 Jesus foretells his betrayal (13:1-30)
      32 The new commandment (13:31-14:31)
    33 The work of the Spirit (15:1-16:33)
  34 Jesus prays for his disciples (17:1-26)
35 The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)
Former halfRelationLatter half
29 Jesus speaks about his death (12:20-36)
12:27 I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.(12:27)
Acceptance of the Passion35 The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)
18:11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?"(18:11)
30 The unbelief of the people (12:37-50)
12:41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him.(12:41)
The glory34 Jesus prays for his disciples (17:1-26)
17:1 Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,(17:1)
31 Jesus foretells his betrayal (13:1-30)
13:18 the scripture might be fulfilled, 'The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.' (13:18)
Fulfillment of the scripture33 The work of the Spirit (15:1-16:33)
15:25 But in order that the word written in their law might be fulfilled, 'They hated me without cause.'(15:25)

7-5-1

29 Jesus speaks about his death (12:20-36)
  30 The unbelief of the people (12:37-50)
  31 Jesus foretells his betrayal (13:1-30)
32 The new commandment (13:31-14:31)
Former halfRelationLatter half
29 Jesus speaks about his death (12:20-36)
12:28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." (12:28)
The glory of the Father32 The new commandment (13:31-14:31)
14:13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14:13)
30 The unbelief of the people (12:37-50)
12:44 Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, (12:44)
To receive the one who was sent31 Jesus foretells his betrayal (13:1-30)
13:20whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. (13:20)

7-5-2

32 The new commandment (13:31-14:31)
  33 The work of the Spirit (15:1-16:33)
  34 Jesus prays for his disciples (17:1-26)
35 The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)
Former halfRelationLatter half
32 The new commandment (13:31-14:31)
14:30 the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me,(14:30)
The ruler of the world35 The betrayal and arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)
18:3 So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.(18:3)
33 The work of the Spirit (15:1-16:33)
15:18 If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.(15:18)
Being hated by the world34 Jesus prays for his disciples (17:1-26)
17:14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. (17:14)

7-6

36 Jesus before High Priest (18:12-27)
  37 Jesus sentenced to death (18:28-19:16)
    38 The crucifixion of Jesus (19:17-22)
      39 The clothes was divided (19:23-24)
    40 The mother of Jesus (19:25-27)
  41 The death of Jesus (19:28-30)
42 The burial of Jesus (19:31-42)
Former halfRelationLatter half
36 Jesus before High Priest (18:12-27)
18:17 Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, "You are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." (18:17)
Disciples escape42 The burial of Jesus (19:31-42)
19:38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body.(19:38)
37 Jesus sentenced to death (18:28-19:16)
18:32 in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die.(18:32)
Fulfillment of the prophecy about death41 The death of Jesus (19:28-30)
19:28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst."(19:28)
38 The crucifixion of Jesus (19:17-22)
19:20 Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. (19:20)
The people who attend to the crucifix of Jesus40 The mother of Jesus (19:25-27)
19:25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.(19:25)

7-6-1

36 Jesus before High Priest (18:12-27)
  37 Jesus sentenced to death (18:28-19:16)
  38 The crucifixion of Jesus (19:17-22)
39 The clothes was divided (19:23-24)
Former halfRelationLatter half
36 Jesus before High Priest (18:12-27)
18:22 When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" (18:22)
Abuse by soldiers39 The clothes was divided (19:23-24)
19:24 So they said to one another, "Lets not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be," in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says): "They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots." This is what the soldiers did. (19:24)
37 Jesus sentenced to death (18:28-19:16)
19:3 and they came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly. (19:3)
The king of the Jews38 The crucifixion of Jesus (19:17-22)
19:19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews."(19:19)

7-6-2

39 The clothes was divided (19:23-24)
  40 The mother of Jesus (19:25-27)
  41 The death of Jesus (19:28-30)
42 The burial of Jesus (19:31-42)
Former halfRelationLatter half
39 The clothes was divided (19:23-24)
19:24 So they said to one another, "Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be," in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says): "They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots." This is what the soldiers did. (19:24)
Fulfillment of the words of the scripture42 The burial of Jesus (19:31-42)
19:36 For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: "Not a bone of it will be broken." (19:36)
40 The mother of Jesus (19:25-27)
19:27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (19:27)
Taking41 The death of Jesus (19:28-30)
19:30 When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.(19:30)

7-7

43 The resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10)
  44 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
    45 Jesus appears to the disciple (20:19-23)
      46 Jesus and Thomas (20:24-31)
    47 Jesus appears to seven disciples (21:1-14)
  48 Jesus and Peter (21:15-19)
49 Jesus and the beloved disciple (21:20-25)
Former halfRelationLatter half
43 The resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-249 Jesus and the beloved disciple (21:20-25)
see 4-4-2
44 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-248 Jesus and Peter (21:15-19)
see 4-4-2
45 Jesus appears to the disciple (20:19-23)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-247 Jesus appears to seven disciples (21:1-14)
see 4-4-2

7-7-1

43 The resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10)
  44 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
  45 Jesus appears to the disciple (20:19-23)
46 Jesus and Thomas (20:24-31)
Former halfRelationLatter half
43 The resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10)
20:9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.(20:9)
Lack of understanding of disciples46 Jesus and Thomas (20:24-31)
20:25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (20:25)
44 Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
20:17 Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"(20:17)
Disciples are sent45 Jesus appears to the disciple (20:19-23)
20:21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."(20:21)

7-7-2

46 Jesus and Thomas (20:24-31)
  47 Jesus appears to seven disciples (21:1-14)
  48 Jesus and Peter (21:15-19)
49 Jesus and the beloved disciple (21:20-25)
Former halfRelationLatter half
46 Jesus and Thomas (20:24-31)
20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book.(20:30)
Not being able to write whole things49 Jesus and the beloved disciple (21:20-25)
21:25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.(21:25)
47 Jesus appears to seven disciples (21:1-14)
21:7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. (21:7)
Jesus and Peter48 Jesus and Peter (21:15-19)
21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."(21:15)

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