Ethnographic Analysis of ‘SPEAKING’ and Textuality in the Conversation between Jesus Christ and the Thieves on the Cross

Abstract

This study undertakes an ethnographic and textual analysis of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the thieves on the cross, as portrayed in the Synoptic Gospels. Integrating Dell Hymes’s SPEAKING model with principles of textuality, the research examines how communicative actions within this sacred speech event are shaped by socio-cultural contexts and structured through linguistic coherence. The SPEAKING framework facilitates an exploration of the setting, participants, purposes, and genre of the crucifixion dialogue, highlighting the contrasting roles and intentions of the repentant and impenitent thieves. Textuality analysis evaluates cohesion, coherence, intentionality, and inter-textual connections, revealing how the dialogue functions as a meaningful, unified text imbued with theological significance. Findings indicate that the interaction exemplifies ritualized communication embedded within socio-religious norms of first-century Judea and reflects core Christian themes of judgment, mercy, and redemption. The repentant thief's plea and Jesus's promise embody pragmatic and theological dimensions of faith and salvation, while the mocking thief symbolizes rejection and despair. This integrative approach unpacks how the conversation operates simultaneously as a culturally situated speech event and a carefully constructed biblical text. The study contributes to biblical linguistics, ethnography of communication, and discourse analysis by demonstrating the effectiveness of combining ethnographic and textual frameworks to analyze sacred dialogue. The study exhumes knowledge of how language functions as a medium of identity, belief, and social action in religious narrative, offering valuable insights for interdisciplinary research into ancient communicative practices and theological discourse.