Marion Moser deals with the references to scripture in John's Gospel, a classical theme in the interpretation of the Evangelist. Through the application of inter-textual and narrative methods, a central and hitherto barely observed aspect of the use of scripture in the fourth gospel comes into focus: quotes and references from the writing are mostly embedded in various forms of reported speech. Tied to this observation is a whole series of new questions: which figures use scripture and which interpretation do they endorse? What are the consequences of this for the exegesis of John's writings? Does this use of language represent a narrative strategy on John's part, and, if so, could it be plausibly explained by the historical situation? In the paradigmatic examination of John 4:1 and John 7:1-52, the author follows these and other questions in a bid to win fresh insights into the gospel as a whole.