Atonement in John: The Death of Jesus in Light of Exodus Typology

Abstract

Although many in Johannine critical scholarship have argued against viewing Jesus' death as a vicarious atonement (e.g., Bultmann), their arguments have failed to adequately deal with the text of the Fourth Gospel (FG). Morgan-Wynne has recently published a concerted effort to demonstrate that atonement in the FG is indeed vicarious; however, his argumentation can be strengthened. In this discourse, I am arguing that John's understanding of Jesus' death is best seen in light of exodus typology, recognizing Jesus as the climactic fulfillment of exodus and New Exodus figures such as the Passover lamb and the Suffering Servant. Because John chose to portray Jesus in this light, a biblical-theological exegesis which takes these into account will illumine John's understanding of Jesus' death. The goal of this discourse then is to provide such an exegesis, in order to draw out some conclusions about Jesus' death in the FG.