Logo: to the web site of Uppsala University

I uppsatsen undersöks olika teorier kring ursprunget av perikopen om äktenskapsbryterskan som återfinns i Johannesevangeliet 7:53-8:11. I relation till detta undersöks också hur kvinnan porträtteras i Johannesevangeliet. Detta undersöks genom en studie av två andra berättelser i Johannesevangeliet; Kvinnan vid Sykars brunn (Joh 4:4-29, 39-42) och Maria från Magdala vid graven (Joh 20:1-18).

I uppsatsen undersöks de olika teorierna kring ursprunget till perikopen om äktenskapsbryterskan. Dessa teorier diskuteras, värderas och jämförs med varandra. Uppsatsen landar i att det finns tre huvudsakliga teorier kring ursprunget av perikopen. Uppsatsen presenterar även hur kvinnan presenteras i de två andra berättelserna från Johannesevangeliet. Uppsatsen landar här i att perikopens existens påverkar karaktäriseringen av kvinnan genom att kvinnan i Johannesevangeliet lyfts fram som färgstark och självständig.

In this essay I have examined the theories about the origin of the pericope called “The Woman Caught in Adultery” which is to be found in the Gospel of John 7:53-8:11. In my essay I come to the conclusion that the principal theories about the pericope is that it is originally from an oral source. Later it has been written down and included in the Latin translation Vulgate. Through its place in Vulgate and through the use in services and early Christian literature the pericope became well-known to the general public. Also, I argue in favour of the placing of the pericope to John 7:53-8:11. This is because the pericope has been placed there during a long time and because a majority of all manuscripts includes the pericope at that location.

In the essay I also discuss in what way the pericope has an influence on the perception of women in the Gospel of John. My conclusion is that the author of the Gospel of John highlights women through his portrayal of them as independent. Women are not common in the Gospel of John but when they do appear it is with bright colours. And because women appear relatively seldom in the Gospel of John their presence become even more important when they appear. Because of the inclusion of the pericope, women in the gospel of John are not to be seen as sinners but as people encouraged to live their lives.