Reference: John, The Gospel According to
Fausets
Well called "the Gospel of the incarnate God," "the Gospel of witness," that of the Father, that of Scripture, that of miracles, that of Jesus Himself. Written at Ephesus at the request of the Asiatic bishops to set forth more profoundly Christ's Divinity (Jerome, Prolegomena in Matthew). Ephesus, after Jerusalem's fall, A.D. 70, took a chief place in oriental Christendom. Containing a large Christian church, a synagogue of zealous Jews, and the most famous of pagan temples that of Artemis or Diana, it was a common meeting ground for widely diverse creeds. Philosophical speculation too had free scope in its xystus; here Cerinthus broached his doctrines, concocted at Alexandria. Its commercial position on the sea linking the East and West adapted it as an admirable center for the diffusion of gospel truth. John sets forth the positive truth which indirectly yet effectively counteracts Gnosticism, Ebionitism, and docetism. The Spirit has made his Gospel virtually supplementary to the other three. (See GOSPELS; JESUS CHRIST.)
Theirs is that of "Christ according to the flesh," his that of "Christ according to the Spirit." As he joined Christ early he records facts of His ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem, prior to those in the three synoptists. He writes with a specification of times and places, and a freshness, which mark an eye-witness (Joh 1:29,35,37-40; 2:1; 3:1; 4:40,43; 6:22; 13:1-11; 18:10-16; 19:26; 20:3-10,24-29). That the beloved disciple (called episteethios from his reclining on Jesus' breast) was the writer appears from Joh 19:25-27,35; 21:24; 1:14. Another undesigned propriety identifying him is, though naming John the Baptist 20 times he always omits "the Baptist," whereby the three synoptists distinguish him from John the evangelist.
PLACE AND TIME. His allusions in the peculiar terms of his prologue to the theosophic notions prevalent at Ephesus accord with that city being the place of his writing the Gospel. Ac 18:24 implies the connection between Alexandria, the headquarters of Gnosticism, and Ephesus. John 21 is an appendix written subsequently to Joh 20:30-31 (which at first completed the Gospel), perhaps after Peter's martyrdom. The Gospel cannot have been written at the same time and place as Revelation, the styles are so different, His mode of counting the hours as we do was Asiatic (see Townson, Harmony, 8:1, section 3), and accords with Ephesus being the place of writing. His not feeling it necessary to explain Jesus' prophecy that John should tarry until He came (John 21) shows that he wrote soon after the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), when that event was generally understood as being the Lord's coming, namely, in judgment upon the Jews.
In Joh 5:2 the sheep market with five porches is spoken of as still standing, perhaps spared as some other things for convenience by Titus (Josephus, B. J., 7:1, section 1). Testimonies of authenticity. If Joh 21:24-25 came from some Ephesian disciples this is the oldest testimony to it. 2Pe 1:14 alludes to (Joh 21:18) Christ's prophecy of Peter's crucifixion, taking for granted his readers' acquaintance with the Gospel, the strongest kind of testimony as being undesigned. Ignatius (his Epistle to the Romans), Polycarp (his Epistle to the Philippians), the Epistle to Diognetus, Justin Martyr (Apol. 1:61, Dialogue with Trypho 63,88), contain implied quotations of it; their not expressly quoting it is due to the prevalence of oral more than written teaching at first; while the inspired preachings of apostles were fresh in memory definite appeals to writings are less to be expected than in the following age. The general references of the former and the definite quotations of the latter are just what we might expect presuming the Gospel genuine.
Papias (Eusebius H. E. iii. 39) used the first epistle of John which is close akin to the Gospel. Tatian's Diatessaron opens," In the beginning was the Word"; he quotes this Gospel in Orat. contra Gentil. Thus, its currency A.D. 170 is proved. Theophihs of Antioch (Autol. 2) first expressly attributes it to John; he wrote a commentary on the four and a harmony (Jerome Alg. 53, Vir. Illust. 25). He and Tadan therefore, in the second century, considered the four the exclusively canonical standard. Irenaeus, a hearer of Polycarp, the disciple of John, argues for the propriety of the number four; his argument proves their long and universal acceptance by the church more conclusively than if it had been his aim to demonstrate it. The Alogi of Asia Minor were the only sect that rejected this Gospel, owing to their opposition to Montanus, whose heresies they thought were favored by it. The diversity of the scene and incidents of Christ's ministry in it, as compared with the three preceding Gospels, is just what we might expect if the author were acquainted with them.
For while as an independent witness he does not with formal design supplement them, yet he generally omits under the Spirit those particulars already handled by his predecessors. Excepting the crucifixion and resurrection, respecting which he gives new information, he has only two sections in common with the Synoptists (Joh 6:1-21; 12:1). He omits Christ's baptism, temptation, mission of the twelve, transfiguration (of which he was one of the three selected eye witnesses), the Lord's supper, and the agony in Gethsemane, yet incidental hints show his taking them for granted as known already (Joh 1:14,32; 13:2; 14:30; 18:1,11), which last refers to the very words of His prayer during the agony, recorded by the synoptists, an undesigned coincidence and so a proof of authenticity; Joh 14:30 is the link between the temptation (Lu 4:13) and His agony (Lu 22:40-53); Joh 11:1 assumes the reader's acquaintance with Mary and Martha, from Lu 10:38.
So Joh 4:43-44; 7:41, tacitly refer to the facts recorded in Mt 13:54; 2:23; 18:33 takes for granted the fact recorded in Lu 23:2. John 6, wherein he repeats the miraculous feeding of 5,000 recorded by the synoptists, is introduced to preface the discourse which John alone records. In John 12 the anointing by Mary is repeated for its connection with Judas' subsequent history. The objections to John's acquaintance with the synoptical Gospels are based on the presumption that in that case he was bound to slavishly supplement them and guard against the appearance of discrepancies between him and them.
But he was an independent witness, not formally designing to supplement; yet as knowing their Gospels he would mostly use materials heretofore not handled. As they presented Jesus' outer and popular life, so it remained that he should represent the deeper truths of His divine mission and Person. They met the church's first needs; he, its later wants. Luke's Gospel was written under Paul's superintendence at least 20 years before John's. Considering the intercourse between the Christian churches it is incredible that his Gospel should have been unknown at Ephesus, John's and previously Paul's scene of labours, and this to John a "pillar" of the church.
DESIGN. John, the last surviving apostle, would surely be consulted on the canonicity of New Testament Scriptures which by God's providence he lived to see completed. Theodore of Mopsuestia, 4th century (Catena Johann. Corder. Mill New Testament) says John did attest it. Clement Alex. (Eusebius, H. E. vi. 14) states on the authority of old presbyters (and the Muratorian Fragment, Ant. M. Aev. 3, confirms the statement) that John wrote at his friends' request to give Christ's "spiritual" aspect, the former Gospels already having given His "bodily" aspect. John, who leant on Jesus' breast, His closest intimate, was the fittest to set forth the deeper spiritual truths of the Son of God. Thus the "ye" (Joh 19:35; 20:31) will refer to John's "friends" primarily, the general church secondarily. To prove "that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God" is this Gospel's declared design, that men so "believing might have life through His name."
A continued polemic reference is not likely, considering John's contemplative and usually loving spirit. An incidental guarding of the truth against incipient heresies in that region certainly there i
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And having come, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, that he will be called a Nazarene.
And many multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond the Jordan followed him.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these sayings, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as having authority, and not as their scholars.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth workmen into his harvest.
All things were delivered to me by my Father. And no man knows the Son, except the Father, nor does any man know the Father, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son wants to reveal him.
And having come into his fatherland he taught them in their synagogue, so as for them to be astonished, and say, From where is this wisdom and powers in this man?
And having become evening, his disciples came to him, saying, The place is desolate, and the hour is now past. Send the multitudes away, so that having gone into the villages, they may buy food for themselves.
And Simon Peter having answered, said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Was it not necessary for thee also to be merciful to thy fellow bondman, as I also was merciful to thee?
And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee and came into the regions of Judea beyond the Jordan.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who have been sent to her. How often I wanted to gathered thy children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and ye would not.
For ye always have the poor with you, but ye do not always have me.
And having become evening, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was discipled by Jesus.
teaching them to observe all things, as many as I commanded you. And lo, I am with you all the days, until the end of the age. Truly.
Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the good-news of God,
And Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him. And from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, having heard how many things he did, came to him.
And when the devil ended every temptation, he withdrew from him until a time.
The Spirit of Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach good-news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to sent forth in deliv
And he began to say to them, Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears.
And having turned to the disciples, he said, All things were delivered to me by my Father. And no man knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son wants to reveal him.
And it came to pass as they went, he also entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And it came to pass as they went, he also entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather thy children together as a hen does her brood under her wings, and ye would not.
And when he came at the place, he said to them, Pray ye not to enter into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw. And he knelt down and prayed, read more. saying, Father, if thou want, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. And an agent from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. And having become in agony he prayed more intensely, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground. And after rising up from his prayer, having come to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow. And said to them, Why sleep ye? Having risen, pray that ye may not enter into temptation. While he yet spoke, behold, a multitude, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them. And he came near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? And when those who were around him saw what would be, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And a certain one of them struck the bondman of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But having answered, Jesus said, Allow ye as far as this. And having touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, who came to him, Have ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, ye did not stretch forth hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying himself to be Christ, a king.
And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you. But stay ye in the city until ye are clothed with power from on high.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
And from his fullness we all received, even grace for grace.
On the morrow John sees Jesus coming to him, and he says, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
And John testified, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon him.
And John testified, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon him.
Again on the morrow John stood, and two of his disciples.
And the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus having turned, and having seen them following, says to them, What seek ye? And they said to him, Rabbi (which says, being interpreted, Teacher), where do thou dwell? read more. He says to them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and remained with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard from John and who followed him.
And he says to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, henceforth ye will see the heaven opened, and the agents of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
And the third day a wedding occurred in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The wind blows where it will, and thou hear the sound of it, but know not from where it comes, and where it goes. So is every man who is begotten from the Spirit.
He who comes from above is above all things. He who is of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all things. And what he has seen and heard, of this he testifies, and no man receives his testimony. read more. He who has received his testimony has set a seal that God is true. For he whom God sent speaks the sayings of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and immersing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not immerse, but his disciples), read more. he left Judea, and departed into Galilee.
Do ye not say, There are still four months and the harvest comes? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and see the fields, that they are already white for harvest.
I sent you to reap what ye have not labored. Others have labored, and ye have entered into their labor.
So when the Samaritans came to him they asked him to remain with them, and he remained there two days.
And after the two days he departed from there and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own fatherland.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the place pertaining to sheep, a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.
If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony that he testifies about me is valid.
I have come in my Father's name, and ye do not accept me. If another man should come in his own name, ye will accept that man.
After these things Jesus went to the other side of the sea of Galilee of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him because they saw his signs, which he did on those who are infirmed. read more. And Jesus went up onto the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Jesus therefore having lifted up his eyes, and having seen that a great multitude comes to him, he says to Philip, From where will we buy loaves, so that these may eat?
Jesus therefore having lifted up his eyes, and having seen that a great multitude comes to him, he says to Philip, From where will we buy loaves, so that these may eat? But he said this testing him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. read more. Philip answered him, Loaves of two hundred denarii of bread are not sufficient for them, so that each of them may take a little something. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, says to him, There is one child here that has five barley loaves and two fishes, but what are these for so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and having expressed thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down, likewise also of the fishes as much as they wanted. And when they were filled, he says to his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain over, so that not anything may be lost. So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets of fragments from the five barley loaves that remained over from those who have eaten. When therefore the men saw what sign Jesus did, they said, This really is the prophet who comes into the world. Jesus therefore having perceived that they are going to come and seize him, so that they might make him king, departed onto the mountain himself alone. And when it became evening his disciples went down to the sea, and having entered into the boat, they were going to the other side of the sea toward Capernaum. And it had already become dark, and Jesus had not come to them. And the sea was being raised by a great wind blowing. Therefore having impelled forward about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and coming near to the boat, and they were afraid. But he says to them, It is I, fear not. They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat, and straightaway the boat came to be at the land to which they were going. On the morrow the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, having seen that there was no other boat there except that one in which his disciples entered, and that Jesus did not go with his disciples into the boat, but his
And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for he did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was near.
And having said these things to them, he remained in Galilee. But when his brothers went up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but as in private.
Others said, This is the Christ. Others said, For does the Christ come out of Galilee?
That man answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter in by the door into the fold of the sheep, but goes up some other way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. The gatekeeper opens to this man. And the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will, no, not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers. Jesus spoke this allegory to them, but those men did not understand what it was that he spoke to them.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, so that I may take it again.
And the feast of the dedication happened at Jerusalem, and it was winter.
The Jews therefore surrounded him, and said to him, When do thou lift up our soul? If thou are the Christ, tell us plainly.
And he departed again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was first immersing, and he stayed there.
Now a certain Lazarus, from Bethany of the village of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick.
Therefore six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the man who died whom he raised from the dead.
For ye always have the poor with you, but ye do not always have me.
He has blinded their eyes, and has hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and be turned, and I would heal them.
Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, having seen that his hour has come that he would depart out of this world to his Father, having loved his own in the world, he loved them to the end. And supper having occurred, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that he would betray him,
And supper having occurred, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that he would betray him, Jesus, having seen that the Father has given all the things to him, into his hands, and that he came from God, and goes to God, read more. rises from supper, and set his garments aside, and after taking a towel, he girded himself. Then he pours water into the wash-basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. So he comes to Simon Peter, and that man says to him, Lord, do thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou do not know now, but thou will understand after these things. Peter says to him, Thou may, no, not wash my feet into the age. Jesus answered him, If I may not wash thee, thou have no part with me. Simon Peter says to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head. Jesus says to him, He who is bathed has no need to wash the feet either, but is entirely clean. And ye are clean, but not all. For he knew the man betraying him. Because of this he said, Ye are not all clean.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, ye cannot come, I also now say to you.
I will no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of the world comes. And he has nothing on me,
I will no longer speak many things with you, for the ruler of the world comes. And he has nothing on me,
I am the TRUE grapevine, and my Father is the farmer.
After speaking these things, Jesus went forth with his disciples on the other side of the brook Kidron, where there was a garden into which he entered, he and his disciples.
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's bondman, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup that the Father has given me, shall I, no, not drink it?
Jesus therefore said to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup that the Father has given me, shall I, no, not drink it? So the band, and the chief captain, and the subordinates of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound him, read more. and led him away first to Annas. For he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the man who counseled the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, also the other disciple. But that disciple was known to the high priest, and he went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter had stood near the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought in Peter.
And his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene had stood near the cross of Jesus. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then says he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own place.
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and straightaway blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. And that man knows that he speaks true, so that ye may believe.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. And that man knows that he speaks true, so that ye may believe.
And again another scripture says, They will look toward whom they pierced.
Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the sepulcher. And the two men ran together, and the other disciple ran ahead quicker than Peter and came first to the sepulcher. read more. And after stooping down, he sees the linen cloths lying, yet he entered not. Simon Peter therefore comes following him, and he entered into the sepulcher. And he sees the linen cloths lying, and the face cloth that was on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped up in one place separately. Therefore then the other disciple who came first to the sepulcher, also entered in, and he saw and believed. For they had not yet known the scripture that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples departed again to themselves.
And having said this, he showed them his hands and side. His disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I may see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will, no, no read more. And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace to you. Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put into my side, and do not become faithless, but believing.
Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put into my side, and do not become faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God. read more. Jesus says to him, Because thou have seen me, thou have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed. And indeed therefore many other signs Jesus did in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, so that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.
But these are written, so that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.
Truly, truly, I say to thee, When thou were younger, thou girded thyself, and walked where thou would, but when thou become old, thou will stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and carry thee where thou do not want.
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things. And we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things. And we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things, as many as Jesus did, which if they would be written every one, I suppose not even the world itself to make room for the books being written. Truly.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by origin, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures.
who is an image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Because in him all things were created, things in the heavens and things upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or lordships or principal offices or positions of authority, all things have been created
Knowing that the putting off of my tent is imminent, even as also our Lord Jesus Christ indicated to me.