John the Baptist and Composite Intertextuality in the Fourth Gospel

The Evangelist's Archetypal Witness

Series: 

Author:
Amber M. Dillon
Recent scholarship has focused on John’s relationship to Judaism, his intertextual method, and his portrayal of John the Baptist, yet few connect these topics. We know the Evangelist is a masterful storyteller, particularly with his characters, which raises the question: Could we view the relationship between the Fourth Gospel and Judaism through the lens of the Baptist? This study explores the intersection of scriptural allusions and characterization related to John the Baptist, uncovering another perspective to the complex interplay between Judaism and the Fourth Gospel. Readers will discover how John the Baptist emerges as a key figure, illuminating the narrative and reinforcing the Gospel’s themes. This engaging exploration challenges conventional interpretations and invites the reader to see the Fourth Gospel in a new light
Copyright Year:
2026
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-75970-1
Publication:
17 Mar 2026
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-75500-0
Publication:
08 Apr 2026
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Amber M. Dillon, Ph.D. (2024), serves as Adjunct Professor at Denver Seminary. Her research focuses on intertextuality and characterization, and she was a contributor to John, Jesus, and History, Vol. 4 (SBL Press, 2024).
Acknowledgments
List of Tables
Abbreviations

1 Johannine Studies Revisited
 Current Research and the Intersection of John the Baptist and Fourth Gospel Intertextuality
 1 The Landscape of Fourth Gospel Scholarship
 2 An Intricate Integration: Composite Allusions in the Character of John the Baptist
 3 Structure of This Study

2 Jewish Interpretive Practice in the Second Temple Period
 Allusions, Themes, and the Evangelist’s Intertexts
 1 The Fourth Evangelist and Second Temple Interpretation
 2 Jewish Scripture and Tradition in Second Temple Literature
 3 Key Figures in Second Temple Literature
 4 Conclusion

3 John’s Scriptural Testimony
 Composite Intertextual Allusions in the Prologue and Opening Narratives
 1 Composite Allusions within John the Baptist’s Characterization
 2 “Sent from God”: John’s Introduction in the Prologue
 3 χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος: the Witness of John and the Law
 4 John’s Threefold Disassociation
 5 Behold! The Lamb of God: the Apex of John’s Testimony
 6 The Spirit-Anointed Chosen One: Jesus Revealed to Israel
 7 Conclusion

4 Intranarrative Development
 Character Testimonies Rooted in John the Baptist
 1 Approaches to Characters in the Fourth Gospel
 2 Character Testimonies and Actions Rooted in John the Baptist
 3 Andrew as the First Witness after John
 4 Philip and the Witness of Scripture
 5 The Samaritan Woman and Her Continued Themes and Expectant Testimony
 6 Martha and Her Theological Confession in the Manner of John
 7 Conclusion

5 John’s Purpose and Function Solidified
 The Interplay between John the Baptist, Scripture, and οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι in John 5
 1 Characterization of οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι
 2 John the Baptist and the Scriptures in John 5
 3 John’s Purpose: That Jesus Might Be Revealed to Israel

6 Conclusions
 1 Summary
 2 Contributions of this Study and Prospects for Further Research
 3 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
This book will be of interest to academic institutes and libraries, New Testament scholars, researchers into Second Temple Judaism, Johannine experts, and theological and religious studies graduate students.
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