This study explores the meaning and function of water as a literary symbol in the Gospel of John. Jones first gives an account of symbol: it points beyond itself, it defies clear and definitive perceptual expression, and it in some way embodies that which it represents. Then he examines the narrative sections of John that involve water, plotting the expanding meaning and function of the symbol as the narrative unfolds. The study concludes that water serves primarily as a symbol of the Spirit and therein symbolizes Jesus. The symbol of water calls a wide variety of readers to a decision and functions as a bridge linking the new identity believers receive when they come to faith in Jesus with the traditions from which they came.

This study explores the meaning and function of water as a literary symbol in the Gospel of John. Jones first gives an account of symbol: it points beyond itself, it defies clear and definitive perceptual expression, and it in some way embodies that which it represents. Then he examines the narrative sections of John that involve water, plotting the expanding meaning and function of the symbol as the narrative unfolds. The study concludes that water serves primarily as a symbol of the Spirit and therein symbolizes Jesus. The symbol of water calls a wide variety of readers to a decision and functions as a bridge linking the new identity believers receive when they come to faith in Jesus with the traditions from which they came.

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.

Symbolic interactionism is a social-scientific perspective that seeks to describe how human beings create meaning with one another in their daily lives. Since the world is populated by symbols that characterize all interactions among living beings, this book explores the importance of symbols and symbolic interaction while moving beyond the social sciences to theological studies. By examining the way symbolic interaction is portrayed among characters in the Gospel according to John in the "water narratives," this book argues that the Bible is a symbol that is itself full of symbols whose meanings are worthy of our study. Hence, the interaction of characters in the Gospel of John and the whole Bible, along with the symbols they use in their interactions, demonstrates that symbolism is directly linked to human life because symbols are major means of communication, and without symbols, human beings are in chaos.

Symbolic interactionism is a social-scientific perspective that seeks to describe how human beings create meaning with one another in their daily lives. Since the world is populated by symbols that characterize all interactions among living beings, this book explores the importance of symbols and symbolic interaction while moving beyond the social sciences to theological studies. By examining the way symbolic interaction is portrayed among characters in the Gospel according to John in the "water narratives," this book argues that the Bible is a symbol that is itself full of symbols whose meanings are worthy of our study. Hence, the interaction of characters in the Gospel of John and the whole Bible, along with the symbols they use in their interactions, demonstrates that symbolism is directly linked to human life because symbols are major means of communication, and without symbols, human beings are in chaos.