What does John 2:22 mean?

Explanation

John 2:22 recounts a moment of realization and belief among Jesus' disciples following His resurrection.

Prior to His death, Jesus spoke about His temple (His body) being destroyed and raised up in three days, a statement that was not fully understood by His disciples or the Jewish authorities at the time.

It is only after the resurrection event that the disciples recall Jesus' words and understand them as a prophecy about His death and resurrection. This leads them to believe not only in Jesus' words but also in the scripture that foretold these events.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of John, traditionally believed to have been written by the apostle John, one of Jesus' closest followers.

The Gospel of John was likely written between A.D. 85 and 95.

In the Gospel, John often emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

During the time of Jesus, there was a strong Messianic expectation among the Jewish people, and John's narrative provides evidence to his readers that Jesus is the awaited Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse speaks to the concept of prophecy fulfillment.

The disciples' belief in "the scripture" signifies that they now understand Christ's words and actions as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah.

It also highlights the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, whose words have divine authority.

This verse suggests that understanding and believing in the scriptures and Jesus' teachings are intertwined.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 2:22 can encourage individuals to reflect upon the importance of hindsight and understanding in faith.

Believers are reminded that sometimes the significance of events or teachings may not be clear at the moment but can become evident with time and reflection.

This verse also serves as a call to study and trust in the scriptures, encouraging believers to look for the ways in which their own experiences may confirm or illuminate biblical truths.

Cross-References

• Matthew 16:21: "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
• Luke 24:44-45: "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse and their meanings include:

• "risen" (Greek: ἠγέρθη, egerthē): Aorist passive indicative, meaning raised or having been raised, implying a completed action.
• "remembered" (Greek: ἐμνήσθησαν, emnēsthēsan): Aorist passive indicative, meaning they recalled or it came to mind.
• "believed" (Greek: ἐπίστευσαν, episteusan): Aorist active indicative, meaning believed or put their trust in.
• "scripture" (Greek: γραφή, graphē): Often used to refer to the sacred writings of the Old Testament.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context of the time, prophecies and their fulfillments were common themes in many religious traditions.

Ancient myths and religious texts are often filled with prophetic visions and their subsequent actualization, which were seen as evidence of divine involvement in the world.

In Judaism, prophecy held a central place, and many Jews of the time were awaiting a prophesied Messiah who would fulfill the words of the prophets.

The verse reflects this Messianic expectation and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the assertion of resurrection after death is a claim that cannot be proven or disproven by science, as it pertains to supernatural events outside the realm of natural law as understood by science.

However, the psychological phenomenon of belief and the sociological impact of religious experiences are of interest to science.

Understanding why and how beliefs form, particularly after pivotal moments like the one described in John 2:22, is explored in disciplines like psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer interpretations of John 2:22.

Commentators like Matthew Henry see this verse as a demonstration of how the disciples' understanding and belief grew over time.

Some suggest it reflects the human process of understanding God's work in retrospect. Others, like William Barclay, emphasize the role of the resurrection in solidifying the disciples' belief and reorienting their understanding of scripture.

The verse is often cited to highlight the importance of both Jesus' teachings and the Holy Scriptures in forming the bedrock of Christian faith.