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Abstract

Sumainyo ang kapayapaan is a formal translation of the peace greeting in John 20. But does the Filipino, specifically the Tagalog translation, capture the intent of the Gospel writer? The evangelist seems to be saying that he intended more than a peace greeting when he employed the phrase " Peace be with you " on three different occasions in the passage as mentioned above. The literary structure of John 20 provides hints that the author is considering other functions for the peace salutations, such as an exhortation to the frightened disciples to be courageous. This perspective is discerned from the Johannine use of literary devices like dualism, symbolism, contrast, repetition, and other literary clues such as statements of time elements (late Sunday evening) and the locked doors that may suggest the collective fear of Jesus’ disciples amid the threat of violence posed by the religious authorities. The Greek form of the peace salutation, Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν, seems to present alternative meanings of the greetings in John 20 concerning the story about Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. A practical application of the result of the exegetical analysis of the peace phrase in John 20 is sought in the light of the current theological and ecclesial political crises that are tearing The United Methodist Church in the Philippines apart. In the face of such religious violence, how can the United Methodist Church appropriate the peace greetings of John 20?

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