ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

JESUS’ USAGE OF JURIDICAL RHETORIC IN JOHN 5:19-47

A REASEARCH ASSIGNMENT

SUBMITTED TO JIMMIE W. LEMONS, DMin.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

BIB 502 NEW TESTAMENT GENRES AND ISSUES

BY

MICHAEL ESSIFUL

LOMÉ, TOGO

MAY 2021
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Introduction

A rhetoric is a speaker’s method of persuading his listeners to believing his

arguments. Juridical rhetoric is the communication that are indented to accuse or defend

someone in a courtroom.1 Alicia D. Myers in her article “Jesus said to them…”: The

Adaptation of Juridical Rhetoric in John 5:19-47 writes that Jesus used a form of rhetoric in

defending himself against his accusers for healing on a sabbath.

Review

The article was published in the Journal of Biblical Literature 132, No. 2 in 2013. It

covered the page 415 through 430. Myers is a New Testament and Greek professor formerly

at United Theological seminary in Dayton at the time the article was published.2

The author believes Jesus used a form of rhetoric called Juridical Rhetoric in his

discourse with the Jewish leaders. Juridical rhetoric and speeches are ancient Mediterranean

genre of communication used in history, biographies, dramas, and novels. The noticeable

juridical rhetoric in Jesus’ speech was the “manner in which author’s created believable

speeches in their narratives” which the author calls prosopopoeia. Also, ethos is a juridical

rhetoric which shows how the orators uses construction of his/her own character as part of the

method of persuasion. In addition, the use of ancient testimonies, and Jesus’ method of

refutation. These four evidences point Myers to believe that Jesus used a juridical rhetoric in

the scripture.

Myers provided a context of John 5. She notes that Jesus travelled to Jerusalem for an

unnamed festival and heals a lame man at the pool. The man reports the activities of Jesus to

the Jews who in turn questions “persecute” Jesus because he healed the man on a sabbath.

Jesus answers that, his father works on the sabbath so he is permitted to also work on the

1
James Allen, “Aristotle on the Disciplines of Argument: Rhetoric, Dialectic, Analytic” Rhetorica 25
(2007): 87–88.
2
https://directory.campbell.edu/people/alicia-myers/ (accessed May 24, 2021).
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sabbath. Myers notes that, the Jews understood Jesus’ answer in a way that made him (Jesus)

equal with God.

The writer believes that Jesus’ usage of the juridical rhetorical from verse 19 is not to

refute his claims to being equal with God nor is it to plead guilty but Jesus used the rhetorical

to prove in ways in which his claims are true. He justifies his unique relationship with his

father and showed that he was guilty of healing the man on sabbath.

Myers identifies similarities between Jesus’ juridical rhetorical and Pseudo-Cicero’s

“Juridical Issue with Absolute Cause” and Quintilian’s “Issue of Quality”. She explains that,

it means that the question is not of conjecture or even if the defendant committed the crime

but the argument becomes “was the act committed justified.” In a case where Orestes killed

his mother and her lover. Even though he killed his mother and her lover, he argued in court

that he did justifiably “issue of Quality.” In the defense, the author revealed that Clytemnestra

(mother who was murdered) killed his husband leading her son (Orestes) to kill her.

Parallel for Jesus’ case, Jesus did not deny committing a crime by healing the man on

the sabbath day nor did he deny being equal with God. Jesus argued that he was right to heal

the man on sabbath day because he had a special relation with the father. Myers states that

“while Jesus’ deeds or claim may be blameworthy if committed by another person, his very

identity and commissioning illustrate the lawfulness of his act.”

In the verse 19, the author shows similarities between Jesus’ speech about his

relationship with his father and the defense Orestes used. Orestes outlines his character from

his childhood, his lineage, and his love for his father who was murdered by his mother in

front in the court room. Jesus also describes his relationship with his father establishing a

positive character for his audience. Jesus saying “he can do only what he sees his father

doing… (John 5:19)”, He sets his Father’s actions as precedent to his own actions. Another

judicial rhetorical technique.

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Myers shows that Jesus used “nontechnical proofs.” This includes oaths, previous

judgements, rumors, and evidences from torture and written documents. Jesus used this when

he began to list witnesses. But before that, the author reveals that Jesus’ use of “Very truly I

tell you” In verses 19, 24, and 24 is not there to prove his relationship but Jesus used that to

reinforce that the authority he is speaking with.

The writer indicates that Jesus discounts his own testimony and names John the

Baptist, Jesus’ own works, the Father, and scripture which will include its author in the

person of Moses. Jesus used these witnesses from current (John the Baptist) to ancient

(Moses) to support his initial comments in verses 19-30.

In Jesus ‘refutation, he turns the guilt on his accusers by claiming that they contradict

the law in their pursuit of glory for one another. The author discourses that as a result of

Jesus’ refutation, Moses will act as a persecutor of his accusers whiles defending Jesus.

Myers showed that Jesus used juridical rhetorical in his discourse in John 5:19-40.

Rather than admitting that he commits an offense by healing a lame person on the sabbath,

Jesus defends his actions, on the basics of his unique identity, his relationship with the Father,

and adopted witnesses to support his claims.

Reaction and Critique

The author’s view on Jesus’ use of juridical rhetoric in John 5:19-47 is well explained

in detail. She cited examples of the usage of such rhetorical in history. The usage of juridical

rhetoric as explained by the author do not dent the author’s intended meaning of the text.

Myers could have stated that despite the use of Juridical rhetoric, Jesus’ deity made

his actions right. The document made it appear that Jesus was guilty and had to defend justify

his actions by using this kind of rhetoric.

Relevance
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The study of juridical rhetoric in John 5:19-47 is relevant to the whole understanding

of the discourse of Jesus Christ. It provides the judicial scenery and certain philosophical

thoughts in Jesus’ day.

It is relevant because it gives a mental picture into the understanding of Jewish leaders

who questions Jesus’ actions. In addition, this rhetorical study provides the worldview of how

the Jewish leaders understands the answers of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus Christ used a juridical rhetoric to answer his critics when he was accused of

healing a lame man on sabbath day. This type of rhetoric is common in courtrooms. Accusers

uses it to justify their actions instead of pleading guilty to a crime. Juridical rhetoric is

necessary to the full understanding of John 5:19-17.