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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
in fulfilment of the word spoken through the Prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Great crowds followed him from Galilee, from the ten towns, from Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Now when Jesus had finished his discourse, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes taught them.
"therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth laborers into his harvest field."
"Everything has been handed over to me by my Father; neither does any one know the Son, except the Father, nor any one know the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
and came into his own country, where he continued teaching the people in their synagogues, until they were amazed. "Where did he get such wisdom?" they said, "and such wondrous powers?
As twilight fell, his disciples came to him and said: "This is a lonely spot, and the day is far spent; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."
"'Ought not you also to have had pity on your fellow slave, just as I had pity on you?'
It came about after Jesus had finished these teachings, that he removed from Galilee, and went to that part of Judea which lay across the Jordan.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets, and stoning those who have been sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
"for the poor you have with you always, but me you will not always have.
When it was eventide, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Josephus, who was himself a disciple of Jesus.
teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
After John had been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God.
Then Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great crowd of people from Galilee followed. From Judea, too, and Jerusalem, and Idumea, and from beyond Jordan, and from the district of Tyre and Sidon, they came to him a vast multitude, because they heard what he was doing.
So, after exhausting on him every kind of temptation, the devil left him for a time.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me Because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the prisoners, And recovery of sight to the blind; To set at liberty those that are bruised,
The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him, and he began to say to them, "Today is this scripture fulfilled in your hearing."
"All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father; and who the Father is except the Son, and he the Son wishes to reveal him."
It happened as they went on their way that he entered into a certain village were a woman named Martha received him into her house.
It happened as they went on their way that he entered into a certain village were a woman named Martha received him into her house.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
But he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you enter not into temptation." But he himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw, kneeling down he prayed repeatedly, saying. read more. "Father, if thou art willing, take away this cup from me; but thy will, not mine, be done!" (And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.) (And being in agony he kept praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as if it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.) When he arose from his prayers, and came to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said to them. "Why are you asleep? Get up, and pray that you enter not into temptation." While he was still speaking there came a crowd, and he who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus in order to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, "Judas, you are betraying the Son of man with a kiss?" Those who were around him, when they saw what was about to happen, said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with our swords?" Then one of them did strike a blow at the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. "Permit me to do this at least," said Jesus, as he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the corps of priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come out to arrest him. "Have ye come for me with swords and clubs to arrest me like a robber? "When daily I was with you in the temple you did not stretch out your hands to take me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness."
and began to accuse him. "We have found this fellow perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and proclaiming that he is the Messiah and King."
"And I will send forth the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high."
And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth.
And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth.
For out of his fulness we have all received, yes, grace upon grace.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said: "Behold, that is God's Lamb, who takes and bears away the sin of the world.
John also bore this testimony, saying. "I saw the Spirit like a dove descend from heaven and rest upon him.
John also bore this testimony, saying. "I saw the Spirit like a dove descend from heaven and rest upon him.
The two disciples heard his exclamation, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw them following him, and said, "What do you want?" They replied, "Rabbi" (which may be translated 'Teacher'), "where are you staying?" read more. He said to them, "Come, and you shall see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was then about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two men who heard what John said and followed Jesus, was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.
You shall see greater things than that! Believe me," he added, "you all shall see heaven opened wide, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
Now two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
Now there was one of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews.
The wind blows where it wills, and you hear its voice, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with every one who has been born of the Spirit."
"He that comes from above is above all; but one who is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaks. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears testimony to what he has heard and seen, yet no one receives his testimony. read more. Whoever does receive it has set his seal that God is true. For he whom God sent utters the words of God; for God does not give the Spirit sparingly. the Father loves the Son and has committed everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who disobeys the Son shall not see life, but he who disobeys the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him."
Accordingly when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John," (though Jesus himself was not accustomed to baptize, but his disciples), read more. he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
Do you not say, 'It wants yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you! Lift up your eyes and behold the fields, that they are already white for harvest.
I sent you to reap a crop on which you have not toiled. Others have toiled, and you have reaped the benefit of their toil."
So when the Samaritans arrived, they began asking him to remain with them; and he stayed there two days.
After these two days Jesus went away from there into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep-gate, called in the Hebrew, Bethesda.
"If I bear testimony concerning myself, my testimony is not valid. "Another bears testimony to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears concerning me is valid.
"I am come in the name of my Father and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
After this Jesus went away across the Sea of Galilee (that is the lake of Tiberias). A great crowd were following him, because they witnessed the signs which he was continually performing among those who were ill. read more. Then Jesus walked up the hills and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Jewish feast, the Passover, was at hand. Accordingly when he looked up, and perceived a great crowd was coming unto him,
Accordingly when he looked up, and perceived a great crowd was coming unto him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he intended to do. read more. "Thirty-five dollars worth of bread," answered Philip, "is not enough for them, so that each can take a morsel." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon, said to him. "There is a lad who has five barley loaves and a couple of fish; but what is that among so many?" "Make the men sit down," said Jesus. The ground was covered with thick grass; so the men sat down, in numbers about five thousand. "of righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you will no longer see me; Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them among those who were seated; in like manner also of the fish, as much as they wished, and when they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the fragments that are left, so that nothing may be wasted." So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves??he broken pieces that were left after they had eaten. So when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, "This is in the truth the Prophet who is to come into the world." When Jesus perceived that they intended to seize him in order to make him a king, he retired again to the hill all by himself. When evening came on, his disciples went down to the sea. There they got in a boat, and started across the sea for Capernaum. The darkness had already fallen, Jesus had not yet come to them, and the sea began to rise, because a strong wind was blowing. After they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking upon the sea, and drawing near to the boat, and they were terrified; but he said to them, "It is I, be not afraid." Then they were willing to take him on board, and immediately the boat reached the shore they were making for. The crowd that remained on the other side of the sea had seen that there was only one small boat there, and that Jesus had not gone aboard with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away by themselves.
After these things Jesus continued to travel about in Galilee, for he did not wish to go about in Judea, because the Jews kept trying to kill him. When the time of the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near,
After saying this, he remained in Galilee; but after his brothers had gone up to feast, then he went too??ot openly, but as it were a secret.
Other said, "He is the Christ." But others were saying. "Surely the Christ is not to come out of Galilee, is he?
"In solemn truth I tell you that whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, that man is a thief and a robber; "but he who comes in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. "The porter opens the door for him; the sheep listen to his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. "When he has brought all his own sheep, he walks before them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. "But a stranger they will not follow, but flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was talking about; so he said to them again.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his very life for the sheep.
"The Father loves me for this, because I am laying down my life that I may take it again.
Then came the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.
Then all the Jews encircled him and kept asking him. "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
and went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
Now a man named Lazarus was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha??2 it was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
So then Jesus came six days before the Passover, to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
for the poor you have with you always, but me you have not always."
He hath blinded their eyes and make their hearts hard, Lest they should see with their eyes, perceive with their minds, And should turn, and I should heal them.
Now just before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour was come when he should leave this world to go to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, showed forth his love to the end. So while supper was proceeding, and the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him,
So while supper was proceeding, and the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given everything into his hands, and that he was come from God, read more. and was now going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his upper garments, and took a towel and girded himself. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples and to wipe them with the towel with which he had girded himself. Then he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand it later." Peter answered, "No, never shall you wash my feet." "If I do not wash you," said Jesus, "you have no part in me." "Lord," said Simon Peter, "not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said: "He who has bathed needs only to have his feet washed, and he is altogether clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." (For he knew who should betray him, for that reason he said that they were not every one of them clean.)
"My little children, I am only to be with you a little longer. You will seek me; just as I said to the Jews, 'Where I go you cannot come,' so now I say to you.
"I shall not talk with you much more, for the Prince of this world is coming.
"I shall not talk with you much more, for the Prince of this world is coming.
"I am the vine, and my Father the vine-grower.
After he had spoken these words Jesus went forth with his disciples to a place across the Ravine of the Cedars, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples went.
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, and striking at the high priest's slave, cut off his right ear. (The slave's name was Malchus.) Then Jesus said to Peter. "Put up your sword in its sheath. the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?"
(The slave's name was Malchus.) Then Jesus said to Peter. "Put up your sword in its sheath. the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" So the troops and their commandant and the Jewish police took Jesus, and bound him, read more. and led him to Annas first. (For Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year??14 the Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was for their advantage that one man should die for the people.)
Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple who was known to the high priest, and they went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest's palace. But Peter took his stand outside, near the door. So the other disciple who was known to the high priest came out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.
Now there stood near the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and standing near her the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman behold your son."
When Jesus saw his mother, and standing near her the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman behold your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her to his home.
One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out. And he who saw it has borne testimony, and his testimony is trustworthy, and he knows that he is telling the truth in order that you may believe.
And he who saw it has borne testimony, and his testimony is trustworthy, and he knows that he is telling the truth in order that you may believe.
So Peter and the other disciples set out at once to go to the tomb. They both began to run; and the other disciple ran faster than Peter, and came first to the tomb. read more. Stooping down he glanced in and saw the linen wrapping lying on the ground; but he did not go in. Then Peter also came following him, and he went inside the tomb; and he gazed at the linen wrapping as they lay, and the napkin which had been about his head not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up in it's own place. Then the other disciple also who arrived first at the tomb went inside, and he perceived and believed. For not yet had they understood the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went back again to their home.
As he said this he showed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciple glad, when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was called "The Twin." was not with them when Jesus came. Accordingly the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord." But he told them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe it." read more. A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood there among and said: "Peace to you!" Then to Thomas he said: "Place your finger here, and see my hands; and place your hand here, and thrust it into my side, and become not unbelieving, but believing."
Then to Thomas he said: "Place your finger here, and see my hands; and place your hand here, and thrust it into my side, and become not unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" read more. "Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed," Jesus told him. "Blessed are those who, without seeing, yet believed." There were then many other signs which Jesus performed in the presence of his disciples, which have not been written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
"Feed my sheep," said Jesus. "In solemn truth I tell you that when you were young, you used to put on your own girdle, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands for some one to gird you, and carry you where you do not wish to go."
It is this disciple who bears testimony to these facts and who recorded them; and we know that his testimony is true.
It is this disciple who bears testimony to these facts and who recorded them; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; if every one of them were to be recorded in detail I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, a learned man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
He is a visible image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him was the universe created, things in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; by him and for him all have been created;
since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me.