The major emphasis in this part of John's gospel is found in the discourses that are attributed to Jesus. Because John is interpreting the meaning of Jesus' earthly career from the perspective of the post-resurrection experiences and beliefs of the Christian community, these discourses are presented as though they were made in anticipation of the events that followed. This narrative device is exemplified in the story of the foot-washing that precedes the eating of the Passover meal. By performing the work of a servant, Jesus not only gives to his disciples an example of humility that they are to follow, but the water used in the service is a symbol of that spiritual cleansing essential for all those who become true followers of him. This symbolic washing is the meaning of Jesus' statement made to Peter: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." And when Jesus says to the group of disciples, "And you are clean, though not every one of you," he is referring to Judas, who betrays Jesus by contacting Jesus' enemies.
In one of the discourses, Jesus explains his relation to God the Father by using the parable of the vine and the branches. He shows in what sense it is true that the Son and the Father are one in spirit and in purpose without either of them losing their personal identities. The Father works through the Son for the redemption of the world, but the task must be continued after the earthly career of the Son has ended. In this connection, Jesus speaks of going to the Father in order that the Comforter or Spirit of God may be present in the hearts and minds of the believers and thus continue through the church the work that Jesus did while dwelling in their midst, which is John's version of the second coming. John replaces, at least in part, the apocalyptic expectations present in all three of the Synoptic Gospels. John, no less than the Synoptic Gospels' writers, believes that some day the forces of evil in this world will be overcome, and God's reign of righteousness finally will be established. But instead of being brought about by a sudden catastrophic event that will destroy the nations of the world and at which time Jesus will return to earth in power and great glory, John sees the return of Jesus whenever and wherever the Spirit of God enters into the lives of human beings. He believes that the function of the Christian church is to follow the guidance and direction of this spirit until the whole world has been transformed into a kingdom of God.
