Zechariah 6:12-13 as the Referent of γραφή in John 2:22 and 20:9. A Contribution to Johannine Temple-Christology

Abstract

The explicit references to the Scripture (γραφή) in the Johannine cleansing narrative in 2:22 as well as in the Johannine narrative about the empty tomb in 20:9 were always a perplexing mystery which raised a plethora of scholarly proposals. The article presents an argument in favor of Zech 6:12-13 as a scriptural referent in both these occurrences of γραφή. The Zechariah oracle about the future rebuilding of the temple by a messianic king perfectly dovetails with the Johannine Temple-Christology which depicts the resurrection of Jesus as the rebuilding of the temple by the King-Messiah.