Die funksie van verwysings na fisiese families in die Johannesevangelie

Abstract

References to physical families in John's Gospel are rarely discussed in secondary literature - the emphasis usually falls on the spiritual aspects. In this article the references to physical families are analysed, and it is illustrated that these references, with exception of the references to Maria, are normally used to serve as contrast to the spiritual references. Since one's family and place of origin determine one's status and identity, the author of the Gospel emphasises that what should determine one's identity is not Jesus' earthly origin, but his heavenly origin. The same applies to his disciples.