Metaphor, Ritual, and Order in John 12-13 - Judas and the Prince

This book offers new interpretative insight into the Gospel of John, applying a combination of critical discourse analysis, conceptual metaphor theory, and anthropological theories of ritual.

Specifically it explores the meaning of the statement -Now the ruler of this world will be driven out- in John 12:31 and defends a widely overlooked alternative reading. The author proposes a prophecy-fulfilment scheme whereby this predictive utterance by Jesus- is subsequently implied as fulfilled in the departure of the satanically-possessed Judas- from the circle of Jesus- disciples at the Last Supper in John 13:30. Addressing several major strands relating to purity, exorcism, and group identity, the analysis provides an important entry-point for a fresh examination of the Fourth Gospel as a whole. The book represents a significant contribution to Johannine scholarship and to New Testament studies and will be of interest to scholars of religion, theology and biblical studies.