REAL OR NOT?
This section of
John is one of the most challenging
passages to grasp. It marks a transition from his wide-ranging ministry to a small ministry of individuals. This section has
cause contention and debate weather their faith was fake or real. Scholars seem to be divided on the issue of faith. Some
see it as speaking of weak faith (i.e., D. A. Carson, Frederic Louis Godet,
Andreas J. Kostenberger, George R. Beasley-Murray, F.F. Bruce). Others see it
as real faith although it may have been immature (i.e., Rodney Whitacre, Zane
C. Hodges, Merrill C. Tenney, Ramsey Michaels, W. Hall Harris). Therefore,
it calls us to a careful study of the
passage. In this transitional summary we
see:
2:23 The Setting: “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover,” marks the location
of the events. While in the city, Jesus
began to gain a following among the people. How long He was in the city is not explicitly
given. We can deduce he was there during the Passover celebration and
long enough to do wonderous deeds and start a following by his listeners.
The reaction of
the people: “many believe in His name.”
A limited phrase, not found in other
literature of the time, and found mainly in John’s writings.[1]
The same expression is found in 1:12. It is
clearly expressing that those who believe
are those who “received Him” becoming the children of God. The majority of
scholars imply this is not saving faith. There is no indication in the text this
is not genuine. Two points indicate they are true believers:[2]
(1) Damaging to the non-genuine is the fact affirmed in 3:18 that man is condemned because they do not believe in the
Son. (2) The motif is one of John’s favorite expression for regenerating faith
(cf. 1:12, 3:16, 18, 36; 4:39; 6:29, 39, 40; 7:38-39).
“Beholding His signs which He was doing.”
Many indicate that the people believed because of the signs (miracles—KJV). The
Greek word[3]
used means a sign, mark and miraculous token of Divine authority and power. However,
if we are honest, the verse or phrase does not say their faith rested in the
miracles or signs. Signs/miracles may be aids of faith, but it is not the
object of faith in this verse. If signs are
understood as miracles, Michaels points out there were not miracles
recorded in this stay in Jerusalem.[4]
The text does not give any miracles. The
cleansing of the temple may be considered
as a sign of Messiahship. The Davidic covenant “laid the theological foundation
for the everlasting kingdom of the eschatological Messiah.”[5]
2:24 “But Jesus, on
His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for knew all men.” It is a difficult verse. A couple of
observations; First the word “entrusting,”
is the same word as “believing” of
verse 23. It is an imperfect tense, representing the habitual attitude.[6]
Second, the word is found in the negative
in verse 24. There is a contrast been Jesus and the people. Many view
the faith of the people as a bogus. These hold
the signs was the reason or the object of their faith, thus, rejection by
Jesus. It was
based on His knowledge of people. Tenney points out that Jesus “was not
satisfied with a superficial faith, even though it was genuine as far as it
went.”[7]
The
phrase indicates that their faith is not passed
through the dawn of discipleship. Hodges holds that Jesus is not downgrading
their faith, which brings eternal life, rather Jesus is speaking of the
subtheme of intimacy of fellowship (cf. 15:14).[8]
2:25 This is evidence of the omniscience of
Jesus (cf. 1:47-48). It is a point of deity. Jesus “needed not that any should testify of man; for the knew what was in man.”
It is interesting this statement is given
just before he meets with Nicodemus.
[4] J. Ramsey Michaels, NICNT: JOHN, 172.
[5] Gordon H. Johnson, “Messianic Trajectories of
God’s Covenant Promise in David,” Herbert W Bateman IV, Darrell L. Bock, Gordan
H. Johnson, JESUS THE MESSIAH, [Grand Rapids, Kregel, 2012] 65.
[6] Leon Morris, NICNT: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN,
[Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1977], 207.
[7] Merrill C. Tenney, EBC: JOHN, 46.
[8] Zane C. Hodges,
“Problem Passage in the Gospel of John, Part 2, Untrustworthy Believers,”
BIBLOTHECA SACRA, April 1978, 139-152.
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