Cornelis Bennema provides an exegetical-theological inquiry into the Johannine concept of mimesis. Bennema outlines how the concept of mimesis is present in the Johannine writings and explains its nature and mechanics. Bennema first investigates the mimesis within God, showing that the dominant Son-Father mimesis is a paradigm for the disciples-Jesus mimesis. Working from this starting point, Bennema examines the idea of following Jesus as mimesis. He looks at John 8 to uncover an implied family mimesis, and then examines the footwashing in John 13 to outline the paradigm for the disciples-Jesus mimesis. Beyond an exposition of Johannine mimesis, the study argues five theses. First, mimesis primarily involves the creative, truthful, bodily articulation of the idea and attitude that lies behind the original act rather than its exact replication. Second, mimesis is central to Johannine ethics. Third, mimetic empowerment occurs in relationship with Jesus under the direction of the Spirit. Fourth, John's concept of mimesis is unique when compared to that found in the Synoptics, the Pauline corpus and other New Testament writings.
Fifth, John's concept of mimesis corresponds to that of his time and he creatively connects two spheres of mimetic influence - the Greek concept of imitating God and the Jewish/Greek concept of pupil-teacher mimesis.