Follow Me

In this thoroughly researched, artfully written book, Mark Zhakevich shows how the rhetoric of the Gospel of John incentivizes its readers to discipleship. The author proffers certain divine benefits to the readers—kinship with God, friendship with Jesus, and more—and bids them come and follow. Zhakevich further shows how this rhetorical strategy fits within the tense social situation in which the author wrote his Gospel.

-- Matthew V. Novenson, University of Edinburgh

Zhakevich gives readers of John’s Gospel a closer look at discipleship, focusing less on characterization and more on the promises these disciples receive for following Jesus. Instead of shying away from language of reward and benefits, he finds concrete payoffs for the disciples who continue following Jesus, even in difficult circumstances. Zhakevich’s work provides another avenue to reflect on the situation of the Johannine community and its unique take on Jesus’s gifts for those who remain with him.

-- Alicia D. Myers, Campbell University Divinity School

Mark Zhakevich has identified a unique gap in the many studies on Johannine discipleship. No one has focused on the benefits of discipleship, addressing the issue of why one would want to pledge allegiance to Jesus and follow him. In an eloquent and competent manner, Zhakevich explains the major benefits of discipleship in the Gospel of John and situates his study in a plausible historical context of the late first century. This book is not only an important contribution to Johannine studies but will also benefit anyone who follows (or seeks to follow) Jesus.

-- Cornelis Bennema, Union School of Theology, UK

Discipleship is a multifaceted reality in the Fourth Gospel. Mark Zhakevich’s study of it highlights the incentives for and benefits of continuous discipleship in the face of possible hostility—discipleship that is comprehensive and costly, but also richly relational and rewarding. Interacting with a wide range of recent scholarship, Zhakevich insightfully reveals interconnections among three major themes and numerous sub-themes that will stimulate all students of this Gospel, including contemporary disciples who might face opposition themselves.

-- Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary & University

At the heart of John's Gospel is the invitation to "come and see." But the call is costly—why would readers persist in abiding along with Peter and the rest of the Twelve? In this insightful study on Johannine discipleship, Mark Zhakevich examines the under-explored nature of the benefits of following Jesus. The costs are high; but so are the rewards.

-- Andrew J. Byers, author of Ecclesiology and Theosis in the Gospel of John and co-chair of the Johannine Literature Seminar for the British New Testament Society

Rarely does an author pull together seemingly unrelated themes in the Gospel of John and demonstrate their interrelationships as persuasively as Mark Zhakevich has in this volume. Situating his work at the intersection of literary analysis, rhetorical criticism, and the study of John’s historical setting, Zhakevich argues that the Gospel presents three benefits of discipleship to Jesus in response to the hostility toward Jesus' followers reflected in the Gospel: membership in the divine family, the abiding presence of the Father and the Son with the believer, and royal friendship with Jesus, with corollary benefits subsumed under each category. The result is a compelling synthesis of themes, argument, and setting.

-- R. Alan Culpepper, Mercer University

A well-grounded study of the benefits of Johannine discipleship that will open new lines of inquiry into the purpose, impact, and enduring value of the Fourth Gospel.

-- Douglas Estes, author of Questions and Rhetoric in the Greek New Testament

What are the advantages of discipleship for John? In this well-written and compelling study, Mark Zhakevich argues that the Fourth Evangelist offers readers three key benefits that far outweigh the privileges formerly associated with participation in the Jewish community - membership of the divine family, the chance to abide in the Father and the Son through the Spirit, and royal friendship with Jesus. Zhakevich deftly situates the gospel in a plausible context of hostility and persecution, providing a fresh and stimulating reading of this fascinating text.

-- Helen K. Bond, University of Edinb