LEXICAL METAPHOR IN THE VERSES OF JOHN’S GOSPEL IN BIBLE

This study deals with lexical metaphor in the verses of John’s Gospel by applying Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). The objectives of the study are to describe the kinds of lexical metaphor used in the verses of John’s Gospel, to elaborate the lexical metaphor used in the verses of John’s Gospel, and to reason for the use of lexical metaphor in the verses of John’s Gospel. This study was conducted by using descriptive research. The sources of data were the New Testament of Holy Bible, published by Biblica New International Version, 2011. The findings indicated that firstly, there are four concepts of lexical metaphor in John’s Gospel such as 40 (53.3%) for Noun – Noun, 28 (37.3%) for Noun-Verb [Verb-Noun], 6 (8%) for Noun- Adj, 1 (1.3%) for Noun –Preposition. Secondly, linguistics realization of Lexical Metaphor in the verses of John’s Gospel are through comparing Noun – Noun, Noun-Verb [Verb-Noun], Noun – Adj, and Noun – Preposition. The dominant type of lexical metaphor in John’s Gospel is Noun-Noun. It means that most of the lexical metaphor is compared by noun and noun or thing and thing. Finally, the reason of the lexical metaphor used in the verses of John’s Gospel is based on the context of situation, here is tenor. Tenor reflects the power or status of the speakers. In this study Jesus’ metaphors are to show His divinity. In this case, Jesus always compared Himself to another noun to show his divinity. Jesus compared himself to bread of life, true vine, the lamb of God, word, the truth, the way, the life, the gate, the Holy spirit, the light, a teacher, the good shepherd, the king of Israel, the son of God, and the son of man. All these he said to make the unbelievers believe in Jesus so they will have eternal lives. In this study, there are new findings; firstly, some of noun-noun concept has reiteration. Reiteration means that a form of lexical metaphor involves the repetition. In this case, one noun is compared to more than one noun in a clause. Secondly, the new concept found in the verses of John’s Gospel is noun-preposition concept. This concept is to view a feature of one noun being applied to one preposition. This concept also indicates Jesus’ divinity.