Johannine Water Symbolism and Its Eschatological Significance

This study of water symbolism in the Gospel of John attempts to unravel its subtle reference to eschatology. Wai-yee Ng, after examining various approaches to the interpretation of symbols in John, offers a composite treatment of the subject by surveying the literary development of water throughout the gospel and by expounding its underlying eschatological framework. Exploring the historical significance of the symbol in John 4:1-42 uncovers a vertical aspect of eschatology assumed in the discourse. Ng also interprets the water symbol of John in the canonical context of biblical revelation.