Abstract
This paper offers an exegesis of John 16:1-4a, a pivotal passage in Jesus' Farewell Discourse that warns the disciples of impending persecution, including expulsion from synagogues. Situating the text within the historical and literary context of the Johannine community, it explores how this forewarning reframes suffering as an integral aspect of faithful witness rather than divine abandonment. Drawing on key scholarly works, the analysis engages literary structure, historical reconstruction of community experiences, and theological motifs such as dualism and Christology. The paper then applies these insights to the plight of Christians in northern Nigeria, a region marked by violent persecution, to provide a theological foundation for resilience and hope. By bridging ancient text and modern crisis, it underscores the enduring pastoral power of Johannine theology.
Recommended Citation
Iwuagwu, Chiemeka. 2026. "They Will Put You Out of the Synagogues”: An Exegesis of John 16:1-4a and Its Application to the Persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria. Obsculta 19, (1) : 63-83. https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/obsculta/vol19/iss1/14.
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