The Woman Caught in Adultery and the Gospel of John
By (author) Onyekachi Ugwu
Paperback (Published)
(May 2026)
ISBN: 9783161642364
6.1 x 9.13 inches
Price: $125.00
In stock
Onyekachi Ugwu analyzes the pericope of the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel of John through narrative and socio-historical criticism. He argues that, despite its contested transmission, it can be read as authentically Johannine – foreshadowing Jesus’ own trial and his final victory over darkness.
English summary: Few passages in the New Testament have provoked as much debate as the pericope of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11). Rejected by some as spurious and regarded by others as problematic, it has often been silenced by questions of authenticity. Onyekachi Ugwu reopens the discussion by applying narrative analysis supported by socio-historical criticism. His study situates the episode within the literary and theological structure of the Gospel of John, demonstrating that it resonates deeply with the Gospel’s central motifs. The woman placed before her accusers becomes a symbolic figure for Jesus himself – both stand in the middle, both face judgment, and both reveal the failure of human justice. The author argues that the narrative was transmitted orally and later incorporated by Johannine scribes in full consistency with their theological outlook. Through this perspective, the pericope emerges as an integral part of the Gospel’s portrayal of conflict between light and darkness. Rather than a textual anomaly, it is a scene of revelation: a moment where divine mercy confronts human hypocrisy and anticipates the triumph of the cross. German description: Die Perikope von der Ehebrecherin (Joh 7,53-8,11) steht im Zentrum eines anhaltenden exegetischen Streits: Viele Forscherinnen und Forscher halten sie fur sekundar oder unecht, andere sehen in ihr ein problematisches, aber faszinierendes Element der johanneischen Uberlieferung. Onyekachi Ugwu greift diese Debatte auf und analysiert den Text mit narratologischen und sozialgeschichtlichen Methoden. Er versteht die Perikope nicht als Fremdkorper, sondern als theologisch und literarisch eingebettete Szene, die im Kontext des Johannesevangeliums gedeutet werden muss. Dabei wird deutlich, dass die Erzahlung selbst ein Prozessgeschehen abbildet: Wie die Frau im Mittelpunkt der Anklage, so steht auch Jesus im Evangelium unter Anklage. Der Autor zeigt, wie eng beide “Prozesse” verwoben sind – der misslungene Versuch, die Frau zu verurteilen, leitet das Scheitern des spateren Prozesses gegen Jesus ein. Die Analyse macht sichtbar, dass die Erzahlung ursprunglich mundlich uberliefert und im johanneischen Kreis adaptiert wurde, im Einklang mit dessen Theologie. So erscheint die Szene nicht als literarisches Fremdobjekt, sondern als Ausdruck des zentralen johanneischen Themas: des Sieges des Lichts uber die Finsternis. Der Autor ruft dazu auf, die Uberlieferung nicht langer zu verwerfen, sondern als eigenstandige Stimme innerhalb des Evangeliums ernst zu nehmen.
- By (author) Onyekachi Ugwu
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