The Good Shepherd (Jn 10): A Political Perspective

The Gospel of John is traditionally regarded as very theological and spiritual because of the mystical and theological language used by the author. Since the middle of this century, however, we see a new trend emerging in Johannine studies which accepts a historical tradition underlying the Fourth Gospel. The Gospel of John is frequently interpreted by scholars as a response to Hellenistic Culture, to Gnosticism, and to the expulsion of the Jewish Christians from the synagogues. However, very recently, some have started to read the  . Gospel of John from a new perspective, viz., as responding to the Christians who, because of their faith in Jesus, faced significant political challenges from the Romans. Hence, to present  Jesus as “politically unconcerned” in the context of the Johannine community, is to present his teaching as “abstract and historically ineffective.” In the words of  Cassidy, “in depicting Jesus’ identity and mission within his Gospel, the evangelist John was concerned to present elements and themes  that were especially significant for Christian readers facing Roman imperial claims and for any who faced Ro­ man persecution.” The author places these words at the outset of this study as an orientation for the analysis is necessary.