Narrative Strategies in the Prologue and the Metaphor of ὁ λóγos in John's Gospel

Abstract

This article argues for a metaphorical connotation for the term ὁ λóγos in the Gospel, beyond its use in the prologue (John 1:1-18): this stands against the consensus of scholarship. It draws on some insights regarding short story openings, to argue that ὁ λóγos and oúτos function as non-sequential sequence signals, and character-substitutes, to pique the reader's curiosity as to the identity of the Logos, and prepare for the introduction of the name “Jesus Christ” in v.17. These narrative dynamics, the structure of the prologue, and the operations of implicature (Grice), create a strong link in the implied reader's mind between the Logos and Jesus. The implied author uses the implicative force of this connection to add metaphorical freight to the term when used later in the Gospel. The article explores six instances where the term ὁ λóγos appears (6:60; 7:36; 8:37; 10:35; 12:48; 17:17) and where, it is argued, the possibility exists of a usage which echoes that of the prologue.