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 went down into the city called Nazareth, in order that the words spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that He shall be called a Nazarene.
And many multitudes followed Him from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond the Jordan.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies with a divine love, bless those who curse you and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you:
And it came to pass when Jesus finished these discourses, the multitudes were astonished at His teaching: for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
therefore pray the Lord of the harvest that he may send forth laborers into His harvest.
All things were delivered unto me by my Father: and no one perfectly knows the Son, except the Father; neither does any one perfectly know the Father, except the Son; and he to whom the Son may wish to reveal Him.
And having come into His own country He was teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence this wisdom and these miracles unto Him?
And it being evening, His disciples came to Him saying, It is a desert place, and the hour is already advanced; therefore send away the multitudes, that they having gone into the villages, may purchase for themselves victuals.
And Simon Peter responding said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
did it not behoove thee also to have mercy on thy fellow-servant, as I had mercy on thee?
And it came to pass when Jesus finished these sermons, He departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond the Jordan.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that have been sent unto thee! how frequently did I wish to gather together thy children, in the manner in which a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but ye were not willing!
For you have the poor with you always; but you have not me always.
And it being evening, a rich man came from Arimathea, whose name was Joseph, who himself also was a disciple to Jesus.
teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. And lo, I am with you all the days, unto the end of the age.
After that John was cast into prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And Jesus departed with His disciples to the sea: and a great multitude followed Him from Galilee, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan, and those about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing so many things that He was doing, came to Him.
And the devil having perfected every temptation, departed from Him for a season.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor: hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised,
And He began to say to them; This day has this Scripture been fulfilled in your ears.
And turning to His disciples, He said, All things have been delivered to me by my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, except the Father; and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whom He may wish to reveal Him.
And it came to pass while they were going round, He also came into a certain village: and a certain woman by name Martha received Him into her house.
And it came to pass while they were going round, He also came into a certain village: and a certain woman by name Martha received Him into her house.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that have been sent unto thee! how frequently did I wish to gather thy children, in the manner in which a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye were not willing!
He being at the place, He said to them, Pray that you enter not into temptation. And He was separated from them about a stone's cast; and putting down His knees, continued to pray, read more. saying, Father, if this cup is willing to pass from me; moreover let not my will, but thine be done. And an angel from heaven appeared unto Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He continued to pray the more earnestly. And His sweat was like drops of blood falling down upon the ground. And having risen from prayer, having come to His disciples, He found them sleeping on account of weariness, and He said to them, Why do you sleep? Arising pray, that you may not enter into temptation. And He still speaking, behold, a multitude and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was coming before them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. And Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? And those around Him seeing what was coming on Him, said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus responding said, Hold on until this: and touching his ear, healed him. Jesus said to the high priests, and magistrates of the temple, and elders who were assembled to Him; You have come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs. I being daily with you in the temple, you reached not out your hands unto me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
And they began to accuse Him, saying, We found Him perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He is Christ, a King.
And I send the promise of the Father upon you: and you tarry in the city, until you may be endued with power from on high.
The Word was made flesh, and tented among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth.
The Word was made flesh, and tented among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth.
The Word was made flesh, and tented among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth.
because He was my Creator. And of His fullness we all received grace upon grace.
On the following day he sees Jesus coming to him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remained on Him.
And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remained on Him.
And the two disciples heard him speaking and followed Jesus. Jesus turning and seeing them following, says to them, What are you seeking? and they said to Him, Doctor, (which is said, being interpreted, Teacher), where dwellest thou? read more. He says to them; Come and see. Then they came and saw where He dwelleth, and they abode with Him that day: it was about the tenth hour. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two hearing from John, and follows Him;
And He says to him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
There was a man of the Pharisees, the name to him Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
The Spirit breathes on whom He willeth, and thou hearest His voice, but dost not know whence He cometh and whither He goeth; so is every one who has been born of the Spirit.
He that cometh from above is above all; the one being of the earth is of the earth, and speaks of the earth. The one coming from heaven witnesses what He has seen and heard, and no one receives His testimony. read more. The one having received His testimony hath set his seal, that God is true. For whom God sent speaketh the words of God: for He does not give His spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things in His hands. He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Thus when the Lord knew when the Pharisees heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John (truly Jesus himself was not baptizing, but His disciples), read more. He left Judea and came again into Galilee.
Do you not say, That it is yet four months, and the harvest cometh? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes and see the fields, because they are white unto the harvest
I have sent you to reap that upon which you have never labored: others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.
And after two days He departed thence into Galilee. And Jesus Himself witnessed, that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
And there is a pool at the sheep-market, called in Hebrew Bethzatha, having five porches.
If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifieth concerning me; and you know that the testimony which He testifies concerning me is true.
I have come in the name of my Father, and you do not receive me: if another may come in his own name, you will receive him.
After these things Jesus went beyond the Sea of Galilee, of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw the miracles He was doing in behalf of the sick. read more. And Jesus came into the mountain; and was sitting there with His disciples. And the passover, the feast of the Jews, was nigh.
And the passover, the feast of the Jews, was nigh. Therefore Jesus lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude is coming to Him, He says to Philip, Whence can we purchase bread, that these may eat?
Therefore Jesus lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude is coming to Him, He says to Philip, Whence can we purchase bread, that these may eat? He spoke this testing him; for He knew what He was about to do. read more. Philip responded to Him, The loaves of two hundred denaria are not sufficient for these, that each one may receive a little. And one of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Peter, says to Him, There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many? And Jesus said, Make the people sit down. And there was much grass in the place. However the men sat down in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the bread; and gave thanks, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples to the people sitting down; and likewise also of the fishes so much as they wished. And when they were filled, He says to His disciples, Gather up the remaining fragments, that nothing may be lost. Then they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets from the live barley loaves, which remained to those having eaten. Then the people, seeing the miracle which Jesus did, were saying, that, This is truly the prophet who is coming into the world. And Jesus knowing that they are about to come and take Him, that they may make Him king, departs again into the mountain Himself alone. And when it was evening, His disciples went down to the sea; and embarking in the ship, they were going to the other side of the sea into Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them; and the sea wrought, a great wind blowing. Then having gone about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and being near the ship; and were terrified. And He says to them, I am here; fear not. Then they wished to receive Him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at the land to which they were going. On the following day the multitude standing beyond the sea saw that there was no other ship there, except one, and that Jesus did not go along with His disciples into the ship, but His disciples went away alone
After these things Jesus walked about in Galilee: for He was not willing to walk about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. And the feast of the Jews, tabernacles, was nigh.
Saying these things He remained in Galilee. And when His brothers went up to the feast, then Himself also went up, not openly, but in secret.
others were saying, He is the Christ; others were saying, For whether does Christ come out of Galilee?
Truly, truly, I say unto you, the one coming not in through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbing up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. And the one coming in through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear His voice: and he calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out. When He may put out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow Him: because they know his voice: but they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him: because they know not the voice of strangers. He spoke this parable to them: but they did not know what things He was speaking to them.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Therefore my Father loves Me, because I lay down my soul, that I may take it again.
And it was the feast of dedication in Jerusalem: and it was winter;
Then the Jews surrounded Him, and said to Him, How long do you take away our soul?
And again He departed beyond the Jordan into the place where John was first baptizing; and remained there:
And a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister.
Then Jesus, six days before the passover came into Bethany, where Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was,
for you have the poor always with you; but you have not me always.
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; in order that they may not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and turn, and I shall heal them.
And before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that the hour has come when He must depart out of this world to His Father, having loved His own who were in the world, with divine love, He loved them perfectly. And the supper being on hand, the devil already having entered into the heart, that Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, should betray Him,
And the supper being on hand, the devil already having entered into the heart, that Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, should betray Him, knowing that the Father has given all things into His hands, and He came out from God, and is going away to God, read more. He rises from the supper, and lays aside His garments, and taking a towel, girded Himself; then He pours water into a bowl, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He comes to Simon Peter; he says to Him; Lord, do you wash my feet? Jesus responded and said to him, What I do you know not now; but shall understand hereafter. Peter says to Him, You may never wash my feet. Jesus responded to him, If I wash thee not, thou hast not part with me. And Simon Peter says to Him, Lord, not only my feet, but my hands and my head. Jesus says to Him, He that is bathed hath no need to wash his hands, but is altogether clean: and you are clean, but not all. For He knew the one betraying Him. On this account He said, You are not all clean.
Children, I am still with you. You shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews, Whither I go, you are not able to come; and now I say to you.
I shall no longer speak many things with you, because the prince of the world comes: and he has nothing in me;
I shall no longer speak many things with you, because the prince of the world comes: and he has nothing in me;
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jesus saying these things, went out with His disciples beyond the brook of Kidron, where there was a garden, into which He and His disciples came.
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name to that servant was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, Put thy sword in the scabbard: the cup which the Father gave me, shall I not drink it?
Then Jesus said to Peter, Put thy sword in the scabbard: the cup which the Father gave me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and chiliarch, and the officers of the Jews, took Jesus and bound Him. read more. And they led Him first to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. And Caiaphas was the one counseling the Jews, that it is profitable that one man die for the people. And Simon Peter and the other disciples followed Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and came with Jesus into the court of the high priest. And Peter stood without at the door. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came out and spoke to the porter, and led in Peter.
And by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, and the sister of His mother, Mary the mother of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Then Jesus seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved, standing by, said to His mother; Woman, behold, thy son.
Then Jesus seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved, standing by, said to His mother; Woman, behold, thy son. Then He says to the disciple, Behold, thy mother. And from that hour that disciple received her into his own home.
but one of the soldiers pierced His side through with the spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And He having seen hath testified, and his testimony is true: and he knows that he speaks the truth, that you also may believe.
And He having seen hath testified, and his testimony is true: and he knows that he speaks the truth, that you also may believe.
Then Peter and the other disciple came out, and they were coming to the sepulcher. And the two were running simultaneously: and the other disciple was running before more rapidly than Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. read more. John looking in sees the grave-clothes lying; and did not come in. Then Simon Peter, following him, he came into the sepulcher; and sees the grave-clothes lying, and the napkin, which was on His head, not lying with the grave-clothes, but separate in one place, having been rolled up. Then the other disciple also came in, the one having come first to the sepulcher, and saw, and believed; for they did not yet understand the Scripture, That it behooved Him to rise from the dead. Then the disciples departed again to their own comrades.
And saying this, He shewed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples rejoiced, seeing the Lord.
And Thomas, one of the twelve, the one called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Then the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. And he said to them, Unless I may see the print of the nails in His hand, and thrust my finger into the place of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe. read more. And after eight days His disciples were again within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then He says to Thomas, Bring hither your finger, and see my hands, and bring your hand, and cast it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Then He says to Thomas, Bring hither your finger, and see my hands, and bring your hand, and cast it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas responded and said to Him, My Lord and my God. read more. Jesus says to him, Because you have seen me, you have believed: happy are those not seeing, and believing. Indeed then Jesus also did many other miracles in the presence of His disciples, which have not been written in this book; and these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; and in order that believing you may have life through His name.
and these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; and in order that believing you may have life through His name.
Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked about where you wished: but when you get old, you will reach forth your hands, and another will lead you, where you do not wish.
This is the disciple witnessing concerning these things, and having written the same: and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple witnessing concerning these things, and having written the same: and we know that his testimony is true. OMITTED TEXT
And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came into Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures.
who is the image of the invisible God, being the first begotten of all creation, because in him all things are created, in the heavens and upon the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All things were created by him, and unto him;
knowing that the laying aside of my tabernacle is swift, as our Lord Jesus Christ also showed to me.