Gv 16,16-33: analisi retorico-letteraria, struttura e messaggio

The literary structure of John 16,16-33 is still fluctuating. The present article analyses the composition of the paragraphs and their connection on the ground of the verbal parallelism. Particular attention is given to the rhetorical “figurae”. Some conclusions are attained: the pericope is divided into eight paragraphs, connected two by two; their parallelism delimitates the text. The elements of an enigma – enigmatic sentence, misunderstanding and clarification with an amplification – appear twice: ABCD A’D’B’C’. Their disposition is skilfully asymmetric: D’ following A’ emphasizes the enigmatic function of A’ and prepares the misunderstanding of B’. The paragraphs can be read one after the other or according to their parallelism. The parallel reading points out the dialectical rhythm, which characterizes the paschal message of the pericope: from seeing to not seeing and to seeing again, from enigmatic to clear discourse, from suffering to joy, from not asking to praying the Father. These antitheses are founded upon two time’s indications: “till now” and “the hour will come”.