Discovering Chiasms Challenge #1 from John 16

This is the first analysis in the "Discovering Chiasms Challenge" series. See if you can find the chiastic structure in John 16:27-30. (See my article What is a Chiasm? if you are already confused.) Click on "Show Structure" once you have your answer. You will be able to compare your answer with mine:

27 "… because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father." 29 His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God." (John 16:27-30 ESV)

A  You have loved me and have believed that I came from God (v27b)   B  I came from the Father (v28a)     C  I have come into the world (v28b)     C′  I am leaving the world (v28c)   B′  I am going to the Father (v28d) A′  Disciples confess their belief that Jesus came from God (v29-30)

Analysis: Why is it there?
To me, the value of the chiastic structure really stands out in this passage. Notice how much longer A′ is than A: linguists might call this slightly asymmetrical (i.e. non-symmetrical) because v29-30 is so much longer than v27b.

Normally the length of each of the levels should be approximately the same. In this case, the repetition of the words 'have believed that I came from God' in v27b with 'we believe that you came from God' in v30 qualifies this as a chiasm. What is peculiar is that the disciples do not mention love.

The slight asymmetry is used to draw our attention to that section of the structure. On the A′ level, the disciples state they believe he came from God but they fail to say that they love Jesus.

I suggest that it is one thing to believe someone and an entirely different thing to love them. Here the chiasm reveals their heart: the disciples do not yet love the Lord. The C-C′ centerpoint reveals the importance of Jesus leaving the world – so that they could love him.


Personal Reflection: How would you respond to Jesus?

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