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Title: Johannine Question-and-Answer Exchanges
Subtitle: A Historical-Rhetorical Study of John 2,18-22, 8,46-59 and 10,30-36
Author(s): TOPS, Thomas
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 103    Issue: 4   Date: 2022   
Pages: 559-581
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.103.4.3291468

Abstract :
Prior scholars have paid almost no attention to the rhetoric of questions in the New Testament. The rare studies on this topic draw primarily from modern theories on questions. The article provides the first historical-rhetorical analysis of the question-and-answer exchanges in John 2,18-22, 8,46-59, and 10,30-36. First, it identifies the ancient theoretical underpinnings of these exchanges in Aristotle’s views on dialectical interrogation. Second, it argues that these Johannine exchanges follow the conventions, the rules, and the logic of ancient dialectical interrogation to pursue the rhetorical aim of persuading the readers to believe that 'Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God' (20,31).

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