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
and went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: to fulfill that which was spoken by the Prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarite."
And there followed him a great number of people from Galilee, and from the ten cities, and from Jerusalem, and from Jewry, and from the regions that lie beyond Jordan.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and persecute you;
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having power, and not as the scribes.
Wherefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest."
All things are given unto me of my father: And no man knoweth the son, but the father; neither knoweth any man the father, save the son, and he to whom the son will open him.
and came in to his own country, and taught them in their synagogues, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, "Whence cometh all this wisdom and power unto him?
When even was come, his disciples came to him saying, "This is a desert place, and the day is spent, let the people depart that they may go in to the towns, and buy them victuals."
Simon Peter answered, and said, "Thou art Christ, the son of the living God."
Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?'
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished those sayings, he got him from Galilee, and came in to the coasts of Jewry beyond Jordan;
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together, as the hen gathereth her chicks under her wings? But ye would not.
For ye shall have poor folk always with you: but me shall ye not have always.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea named Joseph, which same also was Jesus' disciple.
teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you. And lo, I am with you always even until the end of the world."
After that John was taken, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And Jesus avoided with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude followed him from Galilee and from Jewry, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan: and they that dwelled about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude: which when they had heard what things he did, came unto him.
And as soon as the devil had ended all his temptations, he departed from him for a season.
"The spirit of the Lord upon me, because he hath anointed me; To preach the gospel to the poor he hath sent me; And to heal which are broken hearted: To preach deliverance to the captive; And sight to the blind; And freely to set at liberty them that are bruised;
And he began to say unto them, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."
All things are given me of my father. And no man knoweth who the son is, but the father: neither who the father is, save the son, and he to whom the son will show him."
It fortuned as they went, that he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
It fortuned as they went, that he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together, as the hen gathereth her nest under her wings, but ye would not.
And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray, lest ye fall into temptation." And he gat himself from them, about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, read more. saying, "Father if thou wilt, withdraw this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will; But thine be fulfilled." And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, comforting him. And he was in agony, and prayed somewhat longer: And his sweat was like drops of blood, trickling down to the ground. And he rose up from prayer, and came to his disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, "Why sleep ye? Rise, and pray lest ye fall into temptation." While he yet spake: behold, there came a company: and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and pressed nigh unto Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said unto him, "Judas, betrayest thou the son of man with a kiss?" When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, "Lord, shall we smite with a sword?" And one of them smote a servant of him which was the highest priest of all, and smote off his right ear. And Jesus answered, and said, "Suffer ye thus far forth." And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the high priests and rulers of the temple and the elders which were come to him, "Be ye come out, as unto a thief: with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth hands against me. But this is even your very hour, and the power of darkness."
And they began to accuse him saying, "We have found this fellow, perverting the people and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar: and saying that he is Christ, a King."
And behold, I will send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.
And of his fullness have all we received, even grace for grace.
The next day, John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, "Behold, the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
And John bare record, saying, "I saw the spirit descend from heaven, like unto a dove, and abide upon him, and I knew him not:
And John bare record, saying, "I saw the spirit descend from heaven, like unto a dove, and abide upon him, and I knew him not:
The next day after, John stood again, and two of his disciples,
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned about, and saw them follow, and said unto them, "What seek ye?" They said unto him, "Rabbi," which is to say, by interpretation, "Master: where dwellest thou?" read more. He said unto them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he dwelt: and abode with him that day. For it was about the tenth hour. One of the two, which heard John speak, and followed Jesus, was Andrew; Simon Peter's brother.
And he said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending, and descending over the son of man."
And the third day, was there a marriage in Cana, a city of Galilee. And Jesus' mother was there.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler among the Jews.
The wind bloweth where he listeth, and thou hearest his sound: but canst not tell whence he cometh and whither he goeth. So is every man that is born of the spirit."
He that cometh from on high is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and speaketh of the earth. He that cometh from heaven, is above all: And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: but no man receiveth his testimony. read more. Howbeit, he that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God. For God giveth not the spirit by measure. The father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the son, hath everlasting life. And he that believeth not the son, shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him."
As soon as the Lord had knowledge, how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptised more disciples than John - though that Jesus himself baptised not, but his disciples - read more. he left Jewry, and departed again into Galilee.
Say not ye, 'There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?' Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the regions: For they are white already unto harvest.
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor. Other men laboured; And ye are entered into their labors."
Then, when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them. And he abode there two days.
After two days, he departed thence, and went away into Galilee. And Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath none honour in his own country.
And there is at Jerusalem, by the slaughterhouse, a pool called in the Hebrew tongue, Bethesda; having five porches,
"If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me. And I am sure that the witness which he beareth of me is true.
I am come in my father's name, and ye receive me not. If another shall come in his own name, him will ye receive.
After these things, went Jesus his way over the sea of Galilee nigh to a city called Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they had seen his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. read more. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And Easter, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
And Easter, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. Then Jesus lift up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, and said unto Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread that these might eat?"
Then Jesus lift up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, and said unto Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread that these might eat?" This he said to prove him. For he himself knew what he would do. read more. Philip answered him, "Two hundred pennyworth of bread are not sufficient for them, that every man have a little." Then said unto him, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what is that among so many?" And Jesus said, "Make the people to sit down." There was much grass in the place, and the men sat down: in number, about five thousand. And Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks, and gave to the disciples; and his disciples, to them that were set down. And likewise of the fishes, as much as they would. When they had eaten enough, he said unto his disciples, "Gather up the broken meat that remaineth: that nothing be lost." And they gathered it together: and filled twelve baskets with the broken meat of the five barley loaves, which broken meat remained unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, "This is of a truth the same prophet that should come into the world." When Jesus perceived that they would come, and take him up to make him King, he departed again: into a mountain, himself alone. And when even was come, his disciples went unto the sea, and entered into a ship. And went over the sea unto Capernaum. And anon it was dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose with a great wind that blew. And when they had rowed about a twenty five or a thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus walk on the sea, and to draw nigh unto the ship, and they were afraid. And he said unto them, "It is I, be not afraid." Then would they have received him into the ship, and the ship was by and by at the land whither they went. The day following, the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other ship there save that one wherein his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not in with his disciples into the ship: but that his disciples were gone away alone.
After that Jesus went about into Galilee, and would not go about in Jewry, for the Jews sought to kill him. The Jews' tabernacle feast was at hand.
These words he said unto them, and abode still in Galilee. But as soon as his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast: not openly, but as it were privily.
Others said, "This is Christ." Some said, "Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
He answered, and said, "And who is it, Lord, that I might believe on him?"
Verily, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not in by the door, into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way: the same is a thief and a robber. He that goeth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. read more. To him the porter openeth the door, and the sheep hear his voice; And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he hath sent forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: For they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but will fly from him. For they know not the voice of strangers." This similitude spake Jesus unto them. But they understood not, what things they were, which he spake unto them.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Therefore doth my father love me: because I put my life from me, that I might take it again.
And it was at Jerusalem, the feast of the dedication, and it was the winter:
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, "How long dost thou make us doubt? If thou be Christ, tell us plainly."
and went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John before had baptised, and there abode.
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Then Jesus, six days before Easter, came to Bethany: where Lazarus which was dead was, whom Jesus raised from death.
The poor always shall ye have with you, but me shall ye not always have."
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts: that they should not see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted and I should heal them."
Before the feast of Easter, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the father; When he loved his which were in the world, unto the end he loved them; And when supper was ended, after that, the devil had put in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.
And when supper was ended, after that, the devil had put in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. Jesus, knowing that the father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; read more. He rose from supper, and laid aside his upper garments, and took a towel, and gird himself. After that, poured he water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was gird. Then came he to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, "Lord shalt thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Peter said unto him, "Thou shalt not wash my feet while the world standeth." Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me." Simon Peter said unto him, "Lord not my feet only: but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He that is washed needeth not, save to wash his feet, and is clean every whit. And ye are clean: but not all." For he knew his betrayer. Therefore said he, "Ye are not all clean."
Dear children, yet a little while am I with you. Ye shall seek me, and as I said unto the Jews, 'Whither I go, thither can ye not come.' Also to you say I now.
Hereafter will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me.
Hereafter will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me.
I am the true vine, and my father is a husbandman.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden: into the which he entered with his disciples.
Simon Peter had a sword, and drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, "Put up thy sword into the sheath: shall I not drink of the cup which my father hath given me?"
Then said Jesus unto Peter, "Put up thy sword into the sheath: shall I not drink of the cup which my father hath given me?" Then the company, and the Captain, and the ministers of the Jews, took Jesus and bound him, read more. and led him away to Annas, first: For he was father-in-law unto Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Caiphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple: that disciple was known of the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple which was known unto the high priest, and spake to the damsel that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said unto his mother, "Woman behold thy son."
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said unto his mother, "Woman behold thy son." Then said he to the disciple, "Behold thy mother." And from that hour the disciple took her for his own.
but one of the soldiers with a spear, thrust him into the side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true. And he knoweth that he saith true that ye might believe also.
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true. And he knoweth that he saith true that ye might believe also.
And again another scripture saith, 'They shall look on him, whom they pierced.'
Peter went forth, and that other disciple, and came unto the sepulchre. They ran both together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. read more. And he stooped down and saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in. Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen cloth, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw and believed. For as yet they knew not the scriptures, that he should rise again from death. And the disciples went away again unto their own home.
And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and feet, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said unto him, "We have seen the Lord." And he said unto them, "Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the holes of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." read more. And after eight days again, his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus then came when the doors were shut, and stood in the midst and said, "Peace be with you." After that said he to Thomas, "Bring thy finger hither and see my hands, and bring thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing."
After that said he to Thomas, "Bring thy finger hither and see my hands, and bring thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord, and my God." read more. Jesus said unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, therefore hast thou believest: Happy are they that have not seen, and yet believe." And many other signs did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ the son of God. And that ye in believing ye might have life through his name.
These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ the son of God. And that ye in believing ye might have life through his name.
Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not."
The same disciple is he, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things. And we know, that his testimony is true.
The same disciple is he, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things. And we know, that his testimony is true. There are also many other things which Jesus did: the which if they should be written every one, I suppose the world could not contain the books that should be written.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria came to Ephesus: an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.
which is the image of the invisible God, first begotten of all creatures: for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
forasmuch as I am sure how that the time is at hand that I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.