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: that it might be completed spoken by the prophets, That he shall be called a Nazarite.
And many crowds followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and beyond Jordan.
But I say to you, Love your enemies, praise them cursing you, do well to them hating you, and pray for them threatening you, and driving you out.
And it was when Jesus finished these words, the crowds were struck with amazement at his teaching: For he was teaching them as having power, and not as the scribes.
Implore therefore the Lord of the harvest, so that he might draw forth laborers into his harvest.
All things were delivered to me by my Father; and none knows the Son, except the Father; nor knows any one the Father, except the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal
And having come into his native land, he taught them in their assembly, so that they were struck with amazement, and said, Whence to him this wisdom, and powers?
And being evening, his disciples came to him, saying, It is a desert place, and the time has passed already; loose the crowds, that, having gone into towns, they might purchase food for themselves.
And Simon Peter having answered, said, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
Oughtest thou not also to pity thy fellow-servant, as I also pitied thee
And it was when Jesus finished these words he removed from Galilee, and came from the bounds of Judea beyond Jordan;
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets, and stoning those sent to her; how often did I wish to gather thy children together, which manner a bird gathers together her young broods under the wings, and ye would not!
For always the poor ye have with you, but me ye have not always.
And being evening, then there came a rich man from Arimathea, Joseph by name, who also himself was a disciple to Jesus:
Teaching them to keep all things whatever I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of time. Amen.
And after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom 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 Idumea, and beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, having heard what he did, came to him.
And having ended all the trial, the devil departed from him for a time.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for which he anointed me to announce good news to the poor; he has sent me to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim a remission to the captives, and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send away with remission the bruised,
And he began to say to them, That this day has this writing been filled up in your ears.
All things were delivered me by my Father: and none knows who is the Son, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whomsoever the Son would wish to reveal.
And it was in their going forth, and he came to a certain town : and a certain woman by the name of Martha received him in her house.
And it was in their going forth, and he came to a certain town : and a certain woman by the name of Martha received him in her house.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets, and striking with stones those having been sent to her; how often I wished to gather thy children together, which manner a hen her young brood under the wings, and ye would not!
And being at the place, he said to them, Pray ye not to enter into temptation. And he was removed from them about a stone's cast, and having placed the knees, he prayed, read more. Saying, Father, If thou art willing, turn aside this cup from me: but not my will, but thine, be done. And a messenger was seen to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in a violent struggle, he prayed more intently: and his sweat was as clots of blood coming down upon the earth. And having risen from prayer, having come to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief; And he said to them, Why sleep ye? having risen, pray that ye might not enter into temptation. And he yet speaking, Behold a crowd, and he called Judas, one of the twelve, came before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said to him, Judas, deliverest thou up the Son of man with a kiss? And they about him, having seen that, going to be, said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword And a certain one of them struck a servant of the chief priest, and took away his right ear. And Jesus having answered said, Allow ye even to this. And having touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests, and generals of the temple, and the elders, having come to him, Have ye come out, as upon a robber, with sword and sticks? I being with you daily in the temple, ye stretched not forth the hands upon me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying himself to be Christ a King.
And, behold, I send the solemn promise of my Father upon you: and do ye sit in the city of Jerusalem, till ye be clothed with power from on high.
And the Word was flesh, and dwelt with us, (and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only born of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And the Word was flesh, and dwelt with us, (and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only born of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And the Word was flesh, and dwelt with us, (and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only born of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And of his completion we all received, and grace for grace.
In the morrow John sees Jesus coming to him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, be taking away the sin of the world.
And John testified, saying, That I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained up on him.
And John testified, saying, That I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it remained up on him.
Again on the morrow John stood, and two of his disciples;
And two disciples heard him speaking, and followed Jesus. And Jesus having turned, and seen them following, says to them, What seek ye? They said to him, Rabbi, (It says, being interpreted, Teacher,) where remainest thou read more. He says to them, Come and see. They came and saw where he remains, and they remained with him that day: and it was about the tenth hour. It was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, one of the two having heard of John, and followed him.
And he says to him, Amen, amen, I say to you, From henceforth shall ye see heaven opened, and the messengers of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
And the third day was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And there was a man of the Pharisees, Nicodemus the name to him, a ruler of the Jews:
The wind, where it wills, blows, and its voice thou hearest, but thou knowest not whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one having been born of the Spirit.
He coming from above is above all, he being of the earth is of earth, and speaks of earth: he coming from heaven is above all. And what he saw and heard, this be testifies: and none receives his testimony. read more. He having received his testimony has fixed a seal that God is true. For he whom God sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and he has given all things into his hand. He believing in the Son has eternal life: and he not believing the Son shall not see life, but the anger of God remains upon him.
Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus makes and baptizes more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself immersed not, but his disciples,) read more. He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
Say ye not, That there is yet the fourth month, and harvest comes? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and behold the countries; for they are already white for harvest.
I sent you to reap that with which ye have not been wearied: some have been wearied, and others have come into their labor.
When therefore the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to remain with them: and he remained there two days.
And after two days he came out thence, and departed to Galilee. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honour in his own country.
And there is in Jerusalem, at the sheep place a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, having five porches.
If I testify of myself, my testimony is not true. Another is testifying of me, and I know that the testimony which he testifies of me is true.
I have come in the name of my Father, and ye receive me not: if another should come in his own name, him will ye receive.
After these Jesus departed beyond the sea of Galilee, of Tiberias. And a great crowd followed him, for they saw his signs which he did upon the sick. read more. And Jesus went up into the mount, and sat there with his disciples. And the pascha was near, the festival of the Jews.
And the pascha was near, the festival of the Jews. Then Jesus having lifted up the eyes, and seen that a great crowd comes to him, says to Philip, Whence shall we buy loaves that these might eat?
Then Jesus having lifted up the eyes, and seen that a great crowd comes to him, says to Philip, Whence shall we buy loaves that these might eat? And this he said trying him: for himself knew what he was about to do. read more. Philip answered him. Loaves of two hundred drachmas will not suffice them, that each of them should take some little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, says to him, There is one little boy here, who has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are these among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men recline. And there was much grass in the place. Then the men reclined, the number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, distributed to his disciples, and the disciples to the reclining; and likewise of the small fishes, as many as they wished. And when they were filled, he says to his disciples, Gather the fragments remaining over, that nothing should be lost. Then gathered they, and filled twelve baskets of the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over to them having eaten. Then the men, having seen the sign which Jesus did, said, That this is truly the prophet coming into the world. Then Jesus having known that they were about to come and carry him of forcibly, that they might make him king, departed again to the mount alone. And when it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea. And having entered into a ship, they came beyond the sea to Capernaum. And already was there darkness, and Jesus had not come to them. And the sea, a great wind blowing, arose. Then having urged forward about twent-five or thirty stadia, they behold Jesus walking upon the sea, and being near the ship: and they were afraid. And he says to them, I am; be not afraid. Then they wished to take him into the ship: and the ship was quickly at land to which they retired. The morrow, the crowd standing beyond the sea having seen that no other small vessel was there, except that one into which his disciples had entered, and that Jesus entered not with his disciples into the small vessel, but his disciples departed alone;
And Jesus walked after these in Galilee: for he wished not to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. And the festival of the Jews was near, the Pitching of tents.
And speaking to them these things, he remained in Galilee. And when his brethren went up, then he went up to the festival, not openly, but as in secret.
Others said, This is Christ: and others said, Yet Christ comes not out of Galilee.
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe in him?
Truly, truly, I say to you, He not coming in through the door into the court-yard of the sheep, but coming up from another place, he is a thief and robber. And he coming in through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the guard of the door opens; and the sheep hear his voice : and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he would put forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger they would not follow, but they will flee from him : for they know not the voice of strangers. This proverb spake Jesus to then: and they knew not what things they were which he spake th them.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
And there was the festival of inauguration among the Jerusalemites, and it was winter..
Then the Jews surrounded him, and said to him, How long takest thou away our soul? If thou art Christ, say to us with freedom of speech.
And again he departed beyond Jordan to the place where John was first immersing; and he remained there.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister.
Then Jesus, six days before the pascha, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus the dead, whom he raised from the dead.
For the poor have ye always with you;and me ye have not always.
He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart: lest they see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and should turn back, and I should heal them.
And before the feast of the pascha, Jesus knowing that his hour had come that he should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own in the world, he loved them to the end. And supper having been, the devil having already cast into the heart of Judas Iscariot, of Simon, that he should deliver him up;
And supper having been, the devil having already cast into the heart of Judas Iscariot, of Simon, that he should deliver him up; Jesus knowing that the Father has given all things to him into the hands, and that he came out from God, and retired to God; read more. He arises from supper, and lays down the garments; and having taken a linen cloth, he girded himself. Then casts he water into a washing vessel, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe with the linen cloth with which he was girded. And he comes to Simon Peter: and he says to him, Lord, washest thou my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know after these. Peter says to him, Thou shouldest never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, Except I wash thee, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter says to him, Lord, not my feet only, but the hands and head. Jesus says to him, He washed has no need but to have the feet washed, but is wholly clean: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew him delivering him up, therefore he said, Ye are not all clean.
Little children, yet a little am I with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said to the Jews, That where I retire, ye cannot come; and I say to you now.
I will no more speak much with you: for the ruler of this world comes, and has nothing in me.
I will no more speak much with you: for the ruler of this world comes, and has nothing in me.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jesus having said these, went out with his disciples beyond the torrent Kedron, where was a garden, into which he came, he and his disciples.
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and struck the chief priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. And the name to the servant was Malchus. Then said Jesus to Peter, Put thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it
Then said Jesus to Peter, Put thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it Then the band and captain of a thousand and attendants of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, read more. And led him away to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the chief priest that year. And Caiaphas was he having connselled the Jews, that it is profitable for one man to be destroyed for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple: and that disciple was known to the chief priest, and came together with Jesus to the hall of the chief priest. And Peter stood before the door without. Then went out the other disciple who was known to the chief priest, and spake to her guarding the door, and brought in Peter.
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus then having seen the mother, and the disciple standing near, whom he loved, says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Jesus then having seen the mother, and the disciple standing near, whom he loved, 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.
But one of the soldiers with a javelin pricked his side, and quickly came out blood and water. And he having seen has testified, and his testimony is true: and he knows that he says true, that ye might believe.
And he having seen has testified, and his testimony is true: and he knows that he says true, that ye might believe.
And again another writing. says, They shall look on whom they goaded.
Peter then came forth, and the other disciple, and they came to the tomb. And they two ran together: and the other disciple ran before, swifter than Peter, and came first to the tomb. read more. And having stood stooping, he sees the linen bandages lying; yet he did not go in. Then comes Simon Peter following him, and he came into the tomb, and sees the linen bandages lying, And the napkin, which was upon his head, not lying with the linen bandages, but separately inwrapped in one place. Then, therefore, went in also the other disciple, having first come to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For not yet knew they the writing, that he must rise from the dead. Then went away the disciples again by themselves.
And having said this, he showed them his hands, and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced, having seen the Lord.
And Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Then said the other disciples to him, We have seen the Lord. And he said to them, Except I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. read more. And after eight days again were his disciples within, and Thomas with them: Jesus comes, the doors shut, and said, Peace to you. Then says he to Thomas, Bring hither thy finger, and see my hands; and bring thy hand, and put into my side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.
Then says he to Thomas, Bring hither thy finger, and see my hands; and bring thy hand, and put into my side: and be not unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God. read more. Jesus says to him, Because thou bast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: happy they not having seen, and having believed. Then truly many other signs did Jesus also before his disciples, which are not written in this small book: But these have been written, that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life in his name.
But these have been written, that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life in his name.
Truly, truly, I say to thee, when thou west younger, thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldest;and when thou shalt grow old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou wilt not.
This is the disciple testifying of these, and having written this: and we know that his testimony is true.
This is the disciple testifying of these, and having written this: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they be written every one, neither do I suppose the world itself will receive the books written. Amen.
And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus, being able in the writings.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: For by him were all things created, things in the heavens, and things upon earth, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, whether dominions, whether beginnings, whether authorities: all were created by him, and for him:
Knowing that the laying aside of my tent is swift; as also our Lord Jesus Christ manifested to me.