'n Narratologiese analise van Nikodemus in die Johannesevangelie

[摘要] English: Exegetical commentary on Nicodemus is usually gained from historic-critical sources, but this type of information leaves many unresolved questions, for example: the question whether Nicodemus was a true believer or an unbelieving seeker, remains a debatable topic. An urgent need to rectify this problem exists, not only to expose the historical Nicodemus but more important, to introduce us to the Johannine Nicodemus. The aim of this study is to apply a narratological approach in assertaining Nicodemus' function as a minor character in the written account (Aland 1983) of John's Gospel. In this text-imminent reading it is conceded that the Christologyoperates as the Leitmotiv in the Fourth Gospel (20:31). To co-ordinate the interaction between sender (author) -> message (text) -> receiver (reader), the concept of implied author/reader is used in a depersonified sense: it is not defined primarily in terms of its relationship to the real author, but in terms of the narrative text itself. The dualism from above and from below is strongly accentuated in the Nicodemus context, therefore attention is given to the following structural patterns: parallelism, chiasmus, ring composition (inclusio) and the spiral structural style of narrative writing. In particular the author's strategical useage of misunderstanding is stressed as a means to create irony in the text. Nicodemus' character is defined as a paradigm of traits revealed to the implied reader in the story. Symbolism plays an important part in understanding Nicodemus' nightly visit. Later in the graveside scene, he is again identified by the narrator as the same person who came to Jesus by night (19:39). When the dialogue ends, he leaves the stage dismayed (3:1-11) to become one of the larger group (they/them) of listeners (vv. 11-21). In the presence of the Sanhedrin he remains one of them and even if he had become a secret disciple in the burial scene, it does not reflect on his position at all: persons who are reluctant to confess Jesus openly due to their fear of the people, are judged harshly by John (see 5:42-44; 12:43-44). His sign-orientated faith and his righteousness thus motivating him to bury Jesus in a manner fit for a king. It can be concluded that the implied author intentionaly introduces Nicodemus as an ambiguous character in the narrative text. His ambiguous disposition can be compared with the author's literary strategy to introduce ambiguous Greek words with two different meanings to create misunderstanding: ambiguity thus presents Nicodemus as someone who refuses to confess Jesus openly. He remains in obscurity, but returns again and again with words and deeds that rouses sympathy towards him. The exemplary influence of an ambiguous role model such as Nicodemus, can hardly be assertained: the surrounding uncertainty that remains has a dynamic impact on the implied reader. When the Nicodemus discourse is read from a reader responsive perspective, the implied reader is forced to realise that within Johannine context secret discipleship based on silent deeds only, is not sufficient to become part of Jesus' own inner circle. In the end of the narrative we find Nicodemus with his one foot standing with them (world) and the other one placed within our (Jesus) space: in John's Gospel that is simply not good enough.

[发布机构] University of the Free State