Volume 12, Issue 2, June 1999

This article offers a review of previously suggested structures of John 20 and proposes an alternative structure based on both linguistic and thematic grounds. The theological message of the text delineated by this structure indicates the resurrection event as narrated in John 20 depicts the completion of Jesus’ ministry and concludes the gospel message. Hence-forward, the interpretation of Scripture, hê graphê, and the preaching of the word, legein, would replace the original event for subsequent potential and actual Christians. Mary Magdalene, as she exists in the Johannine nar-rative, provided the living link between original events and the subsequent interpretation and preaching of the Christian community.