005_Tam_co_570-588 13/02/15 12:48 Pagina 572 572 JOSAPHAT C. TAM the Greek New Testament, a new paragraph starts at 2,23, while 3,1 follows after 2,25 without a break, unlike what is in 2,1 and 4,1. Apparently, even the editors of the critical editions see 2,23-25 as a part of the Nicodemus pericope. A few scholars are more ambiguous in this respect. D.A. Carson is not explicit in commenting on the role of 2,23-25 but connects it to 3,1-15 20. Dissecting the preceding context of 2,23-25 as belong- ing to three different editions and even excising 2,24-25 from the original first edition, Urban von Wahlde ascribes 2,23 to the section 2,23 – 3,10, although 2,23 is also treated as a summary to the frag- mented preceding context containing only portions of 1,35 – 2,13 21. A different view is held by C.K. Barrett, Francis Moloney, and Gerald Borchert. Barrett attaches 2,23-25 to the section 2,13-25 and not to 3,1-21 but does not offer any further explanation 22. Moloney briefly identifies 2,23-25 as a conclusion to the preceding pericope 23. Borchert opines that 2,23-25 provides “a decisive sum- mation concerning Jesus and the nature of believing”; yet he still con- siders it a “transitional note” or a “linking section/ saddle text” 24. But is the majority view of Johannine scholars, either taking 2,23-25 as an introduction to John 3 or treating it as merely a tran- sition, fully justified? It may be frankly noted that, as with any part of a mature piece of work, it should have connections to both its preceding as well as its following contexts such that 2,23-25 can be seen as an introduction or transition to John 3. But as I will show 20 D.A. CARSON, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary; Downers Grove, IL 1991) 185. 21 U.C. VON WAHLDE, The Gospel and Letters of John. Vol. 2. The Gospel of John (ECC; Grand Rapids, MI 2010) 120-121. 22 C.K. BARRETT, The Gospel According to St. John. An Introduction with Commentary and Notes on the Greek Text (London 21978) 201-202. 23 “This passage serves as a conclusion to the events and verbal en- counter that took place in the Temple (vv.13-22) and also leads into the next example of faith in Israel: Nicodemus (3:1-21)”. F.J. MOLONEY, The Gospel of John (SP 4; Collegeville, MN 1998) 84. 24 He believes that Nicodemus “serves as a first-class example of why Jesus did not believe in human believing (2:24)” (Similarly Schnelle). But this view is unconvincing since Jesus identified him as unbelieving in 3,12. G.L. BORCHERT, John 1–11 (NAC 25A; Nashville, TN 2001) 168, 170; U. SCHNELLE, Das Evangelium nach Johannes (THKNT 4; Leipzig 4 2009), 78.