How the theme develops
- The Gospel distinguishes particular leaders, crowds, Judeans, Pharisees, and other groups.
- English 'the Jews' can obscure the term's shifting local and institutional referents.
- Conflict language must never become collective blame of Jewish people.
Key passages
- John 1:19
- John 2:13
- John 4:22
- John 5-10
- John 18-19
What it reveals about Jesus
Jesus fulfills Israel's hope as Israel's Messiah; He does not authorize contempt for His own people.
Old Testament background
The Hebrew Scriptures and Second Temple Jewish setting