Source: Brian Neil Peterson, John’s Use of Ezekiel: Understanding the Unique Perspective of the Fourth Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2015), 165–186.
6. The Ezekielian Key to John.mp4
Unity, Resurrection, and the Insufflation.wav
This topic explores how the Fourth Gospel, written by John, intentionally draws upon themes and structures found in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, particularly focusing on Chapter 37. The author argues that John’s portrayal of key events, such as Jesus' prayer for unity (John 17) and the post-resurrection appearance and insufflation (breathing of the Holy Spirit) to the disciples (John 20), strongly echoes Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones and the prophecy of the covenant of peace. By examining specific parallels in setting, resurrection, doubt, divine-human interaction, physical evidence, and the concept of life imparted through breathing, the text suggests that John uses Ezekielian motifs to provide a deeper understanding of the spiritual regeneration and the establishment of the new covenant of peace inaugurated by Jesus.
Anyone who has read the four Gospels knows that John’s account is different. The way it tells the story of Jesus’s final week, death, and resurrection stands apart from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The pacing, the details, and even the events themselves often diverge in significant ways.
Why is John's account so unique? The answer isn't a mystery shrouded in history, but one that can be illuminated by looking back to the Old Testament—specifically, to the prophet Ezekiel. The author of the Fourth Gospel appears to have intentionally reconfigured his entire passion and resurrection narrative around the prophetic template of Ezekiel 37, using its themes to frame the story of the resurrection and the birth of the church. This wasn't a simple case of quoting verses, but a far more profound theological weaving. As the scholar C. K. Barrett noted:
“… though John uses the O.T. he uses it in a novel manner, collecting its sense rather than quoting.”
By understanding how John "collects the sense" of Ezekiel, we can unlock the deep structure of his Gospel's conclusion. Here are four key connections that reveal Ezekiel's ancient blueprint for John's new hope.