Rudolf Steiner Audio CW 117a: Gospel of John & 3 other Gospels: Lecture 11 (Stockholm, 15 January 1910) [End of Book] by Rudolf Steiner
Nov 12, 2025
This discussion dives into the Gospel of John and its unique portrayal of Christ, outlining seven stages of Christian initiation. Each Gospel writer draws from their own mystical experiences, resulting in varied accounts of Jesus’ last words. Topics include the significance of spiritual initiation traditions, the interplay between healing and wisdom, and the essence of love in Christ’s teachings. The talk also predicts a resurgence of clairvoyance and emphasizes the need for unity among all religious beliefs to foster a harmonious future.
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Gospels Reflect Different Initiation Traditions
- Rudolf Steiner explains the four evangelists described Gospel events according to the initiation traditions they knew.
- This explains why the same events, like Jesus' final words, appear differently across Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Last Words As Initiatory Formulas
- Steiner interprets Jesus' last words as expressions shaped by different mystery traditions, not mere cries of pain.
- Matthew/Mark and Luke reflect northern and therapeutic initiation phrasing, corresponding to different inner experiences.
Evangelists Represent Human Faculties
- Steiner maps evangelists to dominant human faculties: John (thinking), Luke (feeling), Mark (will/magic), Matthew (harmony).
- He sees Christ as uniting these faculties as the supreme initiate.
