兩個筵席、兩類關係—約翰福音的「離」與「合」/鄺成中

撮要

二章的筵席及十三章的筵席在約翰福音中均佔有重要的位置。二章的筵席是耶穌在地上所行的第一個神蹟,它標誌着耶穌地上傳道生活的開始,也展開了往後不同經文彼此間的緊密關係,亦同時開始了一個「聯合」關係的課題,這課題要在以後的四章及九章中得到進一步的延續與展現。

十三至二十章是書卷中第三個逾越節的記載,也是真正羔羊展現的描述。十三章的筵席標誌着這段重要描述的開始。這筵席一方面因着猶大的離開而開始了一個「離開」關係的課題,另一方面亦因着彼得與耶穌三次的對話而展示了彼得的不明白,這「離開」的課題會在十八章中透過猶大具體的賣主行動而得到進一步的延續,同時亦會因着彼得三次的不認主而有更全面的深化,彼得會在二十一章中因着他的另一個「三次」使他與主的關係得到復和:從「離開」的關係到「聯合」的關係。

 

ABSTRACT

Both Chapter 2 and Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John begin with a feast. The feast in Chapter 2 is directly related to the first miracle of Jesus, it begins Jesus’ ministry on earth, and it also starts an important issue: an issue of “uniting,” this issue is much further elaborated in Chapter 4 and Chapter 9. Chapter 13 to Chapter 20 narrates the third Passover in the Gospel, which illustrates the important lamb of the festival: Jesus. The feast of Chapter 13 signals the beginning of the narration of the festival, through Judas’ leaving it also starts an important issue: an issue of “separating,” and it also shows Peter’s failure of understanding through his three consecutive conversations with Jesus. This issue of “separating” is much further developed in Chapter 18 through Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and Peter’s three times of denial of Jesus. Chapter 21 narrates the reconciliation between Jesus and Peter through his other “three times” with Jesus, in this chapter Peter is switched from “separating” to “uniting.”

原載於《建道學刊》39期(2013年1月),頁1-28。