Recognizing the Stranger

Kasper Bro Larsen, Ph.D. (2006) is Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at University of Aarhus, Denmark. He has published on various topics related to early Christianity, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, wisdom literature, and the Gospel of John.

"Displaying a masterful command of ancient literature, Larsen has produced a major contribution to the literature on the Fourth Gospel, displaying admirable literary sensitivity and conceptual sophistication."Harold W. Attridge, Yale University******”In this engaging and articulate study Kasper Bro Larsen moves with confidence between contemporary literary theory, the classical discussions and exempla of 'recognition scenes', recent scholarship on the Fourth Gospel, and the detailed analysis of the text of John. He demonstrates persuasively how such scenes should not be viewed merely as aesthetic devices but how they fulfil a focal role in the Fourth Gospel's call to faith in the one who can no longer be seen in person. Recognizing the Stranger makes a decisive contribution not just to the study of the Fourth Gospel in its ancient literary environment but, more importantly, to how the Gospel through its narrative structures addresses profound theological questions about the possibility of faith and knowledge, and about the one in whom faith is held.”Judith Lieu, Professor of Divinity, Cambridge

• Recognitions Abbreviations Introduction. Odysseus’ Scar and Jesus’ Wound Marks Previous Studies in Johannine Recognition. The Present Study: Aim, Method, and Outline Chapter One. Anagnorisis in a Theoretical and HistoricalPerspective Anagnorisis in Aristotle’s Poetics The Embarrassments of Recognition Anagnorisis and the Cognitive Dimension of John’s Gospel .The Semiotics of Recognition. The Dual Appearance of the Observed How to Display the Recognition Mark: Showing, Telling,and Whispering Aspects of Recognition: Identification and SocialRecognition. Anagnorisis as a Type-Scene in Ancient Literature The Meeting The Move of Cognitive Resistance. The Move of Displaying the Token The Moment of Recognition Attendant Reactions and Physical (Re-)Union Summary Chapter Two. Anagnorisis and Arrival (John 1–4) Anagnorisis within the Matrix of John’s Narrative Prologue and Prejudice: Prefatory Whisperings The Prologue’s Web of Identity Relations The Logos Changes its Guise Recognizing a Stranger: Comparing Jesus with Odysseus Establishing Jesus’ Presence in the Story-World (1:19–51) . John the Baptist: Recognizing the Wrong Man (1:19–28) Jesus and John the Baptist: From Baptismal Scene toRecognition Scene (1:29–34) Jesus and the Disciples: Call Narratives in the Form ofRecognition Scenes (1:35–51) Semeia as Semata: Tokens of Jesus’ Divine Doxa Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (4:4–42): Betrothal andRecognition Chapter Three. Recognition in Conflict (John 5–19). John 5:1–18: A Recognition Parody “I Am”: A Recognition Formula John 9: Blindness and Insight The Recognition Scenes of the Hour The Exposure of Judas as Traitor (13:18–30). Jesus’ Arrest: From Discovery to Self-Disclosure (18:1–12) Peter’s Denial (18:15–18, 25–27). Jesus Judged by Pilate: By What Law? (18:28–19:16a) Death as Arrival: God’s Recognition of Jesus Chapter Four. Recognition and Departure (John 20–21). . John 20–21: Bridging the Horizons The Race to the Empty Tomb: Acknowledging the AbsentOne (20:1–10) Mary Magdalene and the Gardener-Rabbi (20:11–18) The Disciples: Recognizers on a Mission (20:19–25) Jesus and Recognizing Thomas (20:26–29) John 21:1–14: Community with the Absent Jesus The Reader as Anagnostes Conclusion Bibliography Ancient Texts Modern Works Index of Ancient Texts Subject Index