Jews Beloved for the Father's Sake in John 11
The phrase "beloved for the fathers' sake" appears in Romans 11:28, where Paul discusses the relationship between God and the Jewish people. In John 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, and the Jews react with a mix of emotions, including amazement and hostility [1].
Literary Context
The story of Lazarus' resurrection is a pivotal event in John's Gospel, demonstrating Jesus' power over death and his divine identity. The reaction of the Jews is significant, as it highlights their complex feelings towards Jesus. While some Jews are moved to faith, others are hardened in their opposition [1].
Historical Setting
The event takes place in Bethany, near Jerusalem, during the late Second Temple period. The Jewish community is expecting a Messiah, and Jesus' actions are seen as a potential fulfillment of that expectation. However, his claims and actions also generate controversy and opposition [2].
Key Terms
The term "beloved" (ἀγαπητοί) in Romans 11:28 is crucial, as it indicates God's ongoing love for the Jewish people despite their current state of unbelief. The phrase "for the fathers' sake" (διὰ τὴν τῶν πατέρων χάριν) suggests that God's love is motivated by his prior commitments to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [3, 6].
Major Exegetical Decisions
One key interpretive decision concerns the meaning of "beloved" in Romans 11:28. Some interpreters, like Augustine, understand it to refer to God's enduring love for the Jewish people, despite their current unbelief [4]. Others, like John Chrysostom, emphasize the role of the patriarchs in God's election of the Jewish people [7].
Range of Interpretations
Interpreters have understood the phrase "beloved for the fathers' sake" in various ways. Some, like Adam Clarke, see it as indicating God's ongoing favor towards the Jewish people due to their ancestral heritage [3]. Others, like Charles Hodge, understand it as referring to God's election of the Jewish people as a nation, which remains in effect despite their current unbelief [5]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of the patriarchs in God's plan of salvation [7].
Function in Tradition
The concept of God's enduring love for the Jewish people has played a significant role in Christian theology and practice. It has been used to argue for the ongoing significance of the Jewish people in God's plan of salvation, and to emphasize the importance of understanding the Jewish roots of Christianity. In Romans 11, Paul uses this concept to argue that God's promises to the Jewish people remain in effect, and that their current unbelief is not final [5, 6].
The patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine and John Chrysostom, also reflects on the significance of God's love for the Jewish people. Augustine emphasizes the role of divine election in God's ongoing love for the Jewish people, while John Chrysostom highlights the importance of the patriarchs in God's plan of salvation [4, 7].
Sources
- John “The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” -- John 11:36”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, CHAPTER 10, section 3: they be soldiers, that manages wars with success, but it is their bravery that does it, though they be but a few; for a few are easily set in battle-array, and can easily assist one another, while over-numerous armies are more hurt by themselves than by their enemies. It is boldness and rashness, the effects of madness, that conduct the Jews. Those passions indeed make a great figure when they succeed, but are quite extinguished upon the least ill success; but we are led on by courage, and obedience, and fortitude, which shows itse”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 11:28: As concerning the Gospel - The unbelieving Jews, with regard to the Gospel which they have rejected, are at present enemies to God, and aliens from his kingdom, under his Son Jesus Christ, on account of that extensive grace which has overturned their peculiarity, by admitting the Gentiles into his Church and family: but with regard to the original purpose of election, whereby they were chosen and separated from all the people of the earth to be the peculiar people of God, they are beloved for the fathers' sake; he has still favor in store for them on account of the”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 33.--IT IS IN THE POWER OF EVIL MEN TO SIN; BUT TO DO THIS OR THAT BY MEANS (part 2): mouth of our father David, thy holy servant, hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the peoples imagine vain things ? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For in truth, there have assembled together in this city against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, Herod and Pilate, and the people of Israel, to do whatever Thy hand and counsel predestinated to be done."(3) See what is”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 88: is in bitterness for his first-born.” This is to be a national conversion, for it is said “the land shall mourn” every family apart. 4. The most decisive passage, however, bearing on this subject, one which may be taken “ instar omnium ,” is the eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans . Paul had taught, (1.) That God had cast off the Jews as a nation because they as a nation, represented by the Sanhedrim, the High Priest, the scribes and the Pharisees, by their rulers of every class, and by the popular voice, had rejected Christ. “H”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 11:28: As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes--that is, they are regarded and treated as enemies (in a state of exclusion through unbelief, from the family of God) for the benefit of you Gentiles; in the sense of Rom 11:11, Rom 11:15. but as touching, the election--of Abraham and his seed. they are beloved--even in their state of exclusion for the fathers' sakes.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: apt to fall, He saith, “Herein is My Father glorified.” For everywhere He manifesteth His own and His Father’s love towards them. Not the things of the Jews, then, were “glory,” but those which they 2192 2192 i.e. the disciples. were about to receive. And that they might not say, “we have been driven from the possessions of our fathers, we have been deserted, we have become naked, and destitute of all things,” “Look,” He saith, “on Me. I am loved by the Father, yet still I suffer these things appointed. And so I am not now leaving you because I love”