An alternative look at John 14:6

Abstract

This article takes an alternative look at John 14:6 in its pericope John 14:1–14 as part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to his disciples (Jn 13–17). This verse forms part of the seven ‘I am’ sayings in the Gospel of John. Traditionally the two καί terms in John 14:6 are translated with ‘and’ I am the way and the truth and the life. However, this article opts for the epexegetical or explicative (also called explanatory) way to translate καί. The reason is that the focus of this pericope and specifically this verse is on ὁδός, and not like the traditional translations treat all three terms, ὁδός, ἀλήθεια and ζωή on an equal basis. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This is a New Testament piece of research that interacts and intersects with Dogmatic and Practical Theology, and the traditional interpretation of the text of John 14:6. It is therefore more intradisciplinary than interdisciplinary by nature.