Sacramental Symbolism and Physical Imagery in the Gospel of John

Abstract

The article surveys the use of sacramental language in the gospel of John. A suggestion is made that sacramental language can be used metaphorically to shed meaning on the life of Christ, or the sacraments can be themselves the object of symbolic reference in the gospel. A survey is made of Jn 2:1-11; 3:5; 6:51-58; 9; 13; 15; and 19:34f. The article concludes that it is unlikely that the sacraments were ever the primary object of symbolic reference in the gospel, but the sacramental elements themselves were used as symbols for the meaning of the gospel.