The First Edition of John

Symmetry comparison with the Second Edition

The three major sections described above for the Second Edition were devised by the Evangelist and already present in the First Edition.
However the symmetry in the number of pages (and scenes?) vanishes. This must have been created by the Redactor.

Symmetry in groups

But the First Edition had another symmetry which became blurred in the Second Edition, for each major section had three groups of scenes. Except in the first major section these groups are visible in our modern text. Chs. 7 & 8 are linked by mentions of the temple (7:14,28; 8:2,20,59). Ch. 10 is linked to ch. 9 by a reference to the healing of the blind man (10:21). Ch. 12 is linked to ch. 11 by references to Lazarus (12:1,2,9,10,17). Chs. 13 & 14 portray an extended 'Last Supper'. Chs. 17-19 present the passion of Jesus, and ch. 20 his resurrection.

The earlier groups are unclear until we get back to the First Edition. Then it becomes obvious that 1:1-42; 3:22-30 and 4:1-42 constitute a first group linked by the question of who is the Messiah. It is not John the Baptist (1:20; 3:28) but Jesus (4:26). ^[1]
The second group is framed by the first and second notable miracles in 2:1-11 and 4:46-54, c.f. 4:54.
The third group comprises ch. 6, concerning the bread of life.

Number of Pages in First Edition

In total there were 70 pages (on 70 sheets) in the First Edition. This is consistent with the Evangelist's liking for the number seven.

Contents, order and structure of the First Edition

SCENES GROUP TOPIC SEVEN SIGNS SEVEN "I AM"s

1:1- 34
1:35-42
3:22-30
4:1-42 [...] It is not John
the Baptist
who is the Messiah,
but Jesus (none) *he

2:1-11
2:13-22
2:23-3:21,31-36
4:46-54 Introduction
to the signs * water into wine
* healing of the
official's son (none)

6:1-21
6:22-71 The Bread
from Heaven * feeding the 5000
* walking on water * the bread of life

7:1-14,25-39
8:12-30
8:31-59 In the Temple
at the Feast
of Tabernacles (none) * the light of the world
he (again)

9:1-41 [...]
10:1-18
10:19-42 A light to the blind,
a shepherd to the sheep * healing of a
blind man * the good shepherd
* the gate

11:1-44
11:45-53
12:1-11 [...]
12:12-50 Life comes
through death * the raising
of Lazarus * the resurrection
and the life

13:1-20
13:21-30
13:31-14:31 Jesus'
last supper (none) * the way, the truth
and the life
he (again)

17:1-18:12
18:13-19:16 [...]
19:17-42 The hour of Jesus'
glorification (none) he (again)

20:1-10
20:11-18
20:19-29 [...] The risen Jesus * the raising
of Jesus (none)

SCENES	GROUP TOPIC	SEVEN SIGNS	SEVEN "I AM"s

1:1- 34 1:35-42 3:22-30 4:1-42 [...]	It is not John the Baptist who is the Messiah, but Jesus	(none)	*he
2:1-11 2:13-22 2:23-3:21,31-36 4:46-54	Introduction to the signs	* water into wine * healing of the official's son	(none)
6:1-21 6:22-71	The Bread from Heaven	* feeding the 5000 * walking on water	* the bread of life

7:1-14,25-39 8:12-30 8:31-59	In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles	(none)	* the light of the world he (again)
9:1-41 [...] 10:1-18 10:19-42	A light to the blind, a shepherd to the sheep	* healing of a blind man	* the good shepherd * the gate
11:1-44 11:45-53 12:1-11 [...] 12:12-50	Life comes through death	* the raising of Lazarus	* the resurrection and the life

13:1-20 13:21-30 13:31-14:31	Jesus' last supper	(none)	* the way, the truth and the life he (again)
17:1-18:12 18:13-19:16 [...] 19:17-42	The hour of Jesus' glorification	(none)	he (again)
20:1-10 20:11-18 20:19-29 [...]	The risen Jesus	* the raising of Jesus	(none)

[...] Less interpolations as already explained. Go to explanation of interpolations

Notes for this page

1. E.D.Freed, The New Testament: a Critical Introduction (London; SCM, 2nd. edn., 1994) p.335

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