John’s Gospel as Ancient Biography
Rewriting Jesus After Mark
By (author) Anna S. Grottoli
Paperback (Published)
(September 2026)
ISBN: 9783161647307
6.1 x 9.13 inches
Price: $134.00
On back order
Anna S. Grottoli shows that the author of the Gospel of John not only knew about Mark’s Gospel but also actively utilised it. She reveals that in keeping with the practices of ancient Lives-writing, the Johannine author repurposed Markan material to create an ideal portrayal of Jesus’ person and work.
After demonstrating that the Gospel of John participates in the spectrum of Ancient Lives, Anna S. Grottoli convincingly shows that the author of the Gospel of John not only knew about Mark’s Gospel but also actively utilised it. She reveals that the Johannine author repurposed Markan material to create an ideal portrayal of Jesus’ person and work. By focusing on an aspect of Lives-writing previously underestimated in Gospel studies, she demonstrates how authors of Lives rewrote their source material in transformative ways, rather than simply copying it unimaginatively. The author of John’s Gospel, she argues, rewrote Markan material in keeping with the rewriting practices of the time and according to his thematic and theological interests. Ancient biographers typically intended their updated narratives to help readers and hearers fully grasp the subject’s intrinsic character and ‘way of life’. This is also the case with John; the need for this book – and therefore its existence – stems from the author’s interest in enabling the audience to encounter Jesus in the rich and profound way the author originally envisioned.
Chapter 1
1 Definition
1.1 The Fluid Nature of Genre in Antiquity
1.2 Lives / Vitae / Bioi: a Dynamic and Flexible Genre
1.3 Reconstructing and Evaluating Character: Approaches in Ancient Lives
1.4 The Selective Nature of Ancient Lives
1.5 What Can Be Read as a Life?
2 History of Research: What are the Gospels?
2.1 From the Beginning to 1992
2.2 Continuing Debate: Arguments Against the 'Biographical Hypothesis'
2.3 Reconsidering the Uniqueness of the Gospels
2.4 Ongoing Debate: Alternative Perspectives
2.5 Ongoing Debate: Towards Acceptance of the 'Biographical Hypothesis'
2.6 Further Theories: Genre Mosaic
2.7 Growing Acceptance of the 'Biographical Hypothesis'
3 Conclusion
Chapter 2
1 Life: A Well-Suited Genre
1.1 Prologue
1.2 Mighty Signs (Deeds)
1.3 Words: Encounters, Discourses, and Teaching
1.4 Death
1.5 Post-Death Events
2 Conclusion
Chapter 3
1 Rewriting in Antiquity
1.1 Defining Ancient Practices as Rewriting
1.2 Rewriting and the Composition of Jewish texts
2 Rewriting Characters
2.1 Philo of Alexandria
2.2 Cornelius Nepos
2.3 Plutarch
3 Conclusion
Chapter 4
1 John's Knowledge of Mark: History of Research
1.1 Supplementation / Complementation Theory
1.2 Windisch: Supplanting Theory
1.3 Gardner-Smith: A New Consensus
1.4 Dodd: Confirming the Consensus
1.5 Not All Are in Favour of Independence
1.6 Strengthening of the New Consensus
1.7 Dissolution of the Consensus: Increasing Recognition of John's Use of Mark
1.8 New Avenues
2 Early Followers of Jesus: Communities and Communication
3 John's Rewriting of Mark: Jesus at the Centre of the Narrative
4 Conclusion
Chapter 5
1 Lives, Usefulness, and Persuasion
2. Persuasion in John
3 Conclusion
Chapter 6
1 Summary: Life, Rewriting, and Shaping the Ideal Account
2 Findings: Life, Creative Adaptation, Biographical Impulse
3 Concluding Remarks
2024 PhD in New Testament Language, Literature and Theology from the University of Edinburgh; works as a high school teacher.
- By (author) Anna S. Grottoli
Other Titles in this Series
The Baptismal Episode as Trinitarian Narrative
Proto-Trinitarian Structures in Mark's Conception of God
Volume 535
Veranderte Endzeitvorstellungen
Die Rezeption der Offenbarung des Johannes beim ersten christlich-lateinischen Dichter Commodian
Volume 504
The Use of Scripture in the Apocryphon of John
A Diachronic Analysis of the Variant Versions
Volume 441
Narratologie und biblische Exegese
Eine integrative Methode der Erzählanalyse und ihr Ertrag am Beispiel von Matthäus 28
Volume 285
Studies in New Testament Lexicography
Advancing toward a Full Diachronic Approach with the Greek Language
Volume 303
Galatians and the Imperial Cult
A Critical Analysis of the First-Century Social Context of Paul's Letter
Volume 237
The Interpretation of Freedom in the Letters of Paul
With Special Reference to the 'German' Tradition
Volume 261
Paul and Sacrifice in Corinth
Rethinking Paul's Views on Gentile Cults in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10
Volume 623
The Formative Stratum of the Sayings Gospel Q
Reconsidering Its Extent, Message, and Unity
Volume 545
Repetition in Hebrews
Plurality and Singularity in the Letter to the Hebrews, Its Ancient Context, and the Early Church
Volume 388
Die Areopagrede des Paulus und Reden bei Josephus
Eine vergleichende Studie zu Apg 17 und dem historiographischen Werk des Josephus
Volume 419
Crucifixion in Antiquity
An Inquiry into the Background and Significance of the New Testament Terminology of Crucifixion
Volume 310
Kult und Macht
Religion und Herrschaft im syro-palastinensischen Raum. Studien zu ihrer Wechselbeziehung in hellenistisch-romischer Zeit
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